Vera: We will get our beloved Roma-Miguel Alemán suspension bridge repaired

ROMA, Texas – Starr County Judge Eloy Vera has given an update on the progress being made to repair the historic Roma-San Pedro Suspension Bridge. 

The Roma–Ciudad Miguel Alemán International Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the Rio Grande between Roma, Texas, and Ciudad Miguel Alemán. 

According to the Portal to Texas History website, private investors financed the construction of several international suspension bridges across the Rio Grande River in the 1920s in the hope of stimulating commercial development in the lower Rio Grande Valley. 

Joseph Erastus Pate and the Starr County Bridge Company were responsible for the construction of several bridges in the area. However, the bridge between Roma, Texas, and Ciudad Miguel Alemán, Tamaulipas is the only survivor. Opened in 1928, the Roma Suspension bridge was taken out of service in 1979 when a new bridge was constructed. 

Leaders at all levels in the U.S. and Mexico have been meeting for years to try to preserve the international bridge as a pedestrian crossing. Those efforts have been delayed due to the procedural differences between the U.S. and Mexican governments. 

Starr County Judge Eloy Vera gave his 2025 State of the County Address at the Julabe Event Center in Rio Grande City. (Photo credit: South Texas College)

In his 2025 State of the County Address, Judge Vera said the project to restore the bridge is “dear to my heart.” He said: “I have been your county judge for over 26 years, and I can promise you that I can that I have been working on it for more than 20 years. And it seemed at times that we were right there on the verge of getting it done, and something would fall through and it wouldn’t happen.”

Vera said county and Roma city officials have been working to stabilize and preserve the bridge.

“I have worked with numerous Roma city councils on this effort. It has been extremely difficult since we have so many players, government agencies, two federal governments, the U.S. and Mexico state governments, and then, of course, our local governments,” Vera said.

“However, I’m happy to report that I’m optimistic that we will get it done. My thanks to Mayor Jaime Escobar, Jr., and the Roma City Council. The administration and staff that have worked like you don’t believe to get this project done. We will get our beloved suspension bridge, built and repaired.”

Vera said the project will come at a cost of approximately $18 million, the majority of which is already earmarked.

“This structure has been a landmark for the City of Roma and for Starr County and it must be preserved. It’s a historical bridge. It must be preserved for future generations.”

Vera said once the repairs have been completed the bridge will be used as a pedestrian walkway.

“This will attract tourism. And we will also be able to remove the sidewalks from the concrete bridge, thus allowing us the opportunity to have another lane for import and export. So it is a win-win for everyone.”

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