Pharr International Bridge breaks ground on new expansion

PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of Pharr, in collaboration with the Pharr International Bridge, announced the groundbreaking for a bridge expansion and Donations Acceptance Program 16 project.

The city says this groundbreaking marks the beginning of an estimated $44 million construction initiative spearheaded by the City of Pharr, U.S. General Services Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

On Wednesday, the groundbreaking took place at the Pharr International Bridge, located at 9900 S. Cage Blvd.

According to the city, this project will significantly enhance the region's trade infrastructure.

The Kika de la Garza Land Port of Entry, connected to the Pharr International Bridge, is the third-largest trade hub with Mexico in Texas and the seventh-largest land port of entry in the United States.

The project underway will allow the port to receive nearly 77,000 square feet of additional space through the Donations Acceptance Program.

"This extensive upgrade is crucial for addressing the growing demands of border management by integrating customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into a coordinated system," the city stated in a release.

The Pharr bridge handles 65% of the nation's produce from Mexico and facilitate over $47 billion in annual trade.

Given the port's role in foreign trade, the enhancements to the bridge will not only benefit the City of Pharr, but also the state and nation.