FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           PRESS CONTACT:

January 12, 2015                                                                                                     Brenda Rangel 956.564.1527

                                                                                                                                        

Vela Applauds Move to Expand Operations at Veterans International Bridge

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Filemon Vela applauded the recent announcement that Mexican officials will expand the hours of operation at the Veterans International Bridge.  On Monday, January 11, 2016, Mexican Customs announced the expansion of hours for inspection of goods moving from Mexico to the United States at Veterans International Bridge by three hours.  The new weekday closing time for inspections on the Mexican side of the port of entry will be 11:00PM. 

 

The United States provides services at the bridge until midnight, and this move by the Mexican government will help correct a long-standing issue with misaligned resources at the port of entry which was highlighted in a recent Binational Border Economic Development (BiNED) meeting hosted by Congressman Vela with Alan Bersin, Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.  The BiNED working group composed of representatives from both sides of the border is seeking to create an integrated, innovative and competitive binational U.S.-Mexico border economic mega-region with an economic focus on advanced manufacturing. 

 

When BiNED met in October, one of the issues raised was the need to decrease truck wait times on the bridges to facilitate cross border economic activity.  Truck traffic and the resulting wait times at the commercial bridges in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) are heavy due in part to Mexico’s Aduana and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) having different hours of operation.  Standardizing the hours of operation on both sides of the crossing is a needed step to ensure the efficient flow of traffic and reduce congestion.  Following the October BiNED meeting, Congressman Vela suggested a pilot project to modify hours at one or more of the RGV bridges. 

 

“On Monday, we take a significant step to improve commercial traffic on the border.  Thanks to Mexican Customs, our UTRGV partners, and Matamoros maquila industry leaders for helping to move this pilot project forward.  Our BiNED group will continue working to advance binational economic development in this region and across the entire US-Mexico border,” noted Rep. Vela.

 

Below is the Bulletin from Aduana:

 

Translation:

According to Mexican Customs of Matamoros, the hours of exportation from Mexico into the United States at the General Ignacio Zaragoza International Bridge (Veterans International Bridge), are hereby extended as follows.

 

Commencing Monday, January 11, 2016, the export hours of operation from Mexico into the United States at the General Ignacio Zaragoza International Bridge (Veterans International Bridge)are as follows:

 

Matamoros Office:

General Ignacio Zaragoza International Bridge (Veterans International Bridge) Export.

Monday to Friday: 0900 -2300 hrs.

Saturday 1000 - 1500 hrs.

Sunday 1100 - 1500 hrs.

 

Measure was implemented in accordance with the hours of operation at the Veteran's International Bridge of the United States of America to enhance and  promote the logistics for the operations of foreign trade users.

 

The Mexican Customs Office of Matamoros will continue to operate with the same timetables as defined in Annex 4 of the General Rules of foreign trade for 2015, for imports into the General Ignacio Zaragoza International Bridge(Veterans International Bridge), as well as for the import and export by Old Bridge FF.CC.(Railroad) and by Mexican Customs Section at Lucio Blanco(International Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios).

 

Respectfully and with a cordial greeting.

 

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