SUBJECT
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A resolution of the City Council of the City of Laredo, Texas, authorizing the City Manager to prepare all necessary documents for the submission of an application to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Donation Acceptance Program for the City of Laredo World Trade Bridge Port of Entry Expansion Project.
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PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
None.
BACKGROUND
This Small-Scale Donation Acceptance Program (DAP) Project will connect the new northbound bridge being constructed as part of the Laredo World Trade Bridge expansion Project to the pre-primary inspection area of the federal property at the Port of Entry (POE). This DAP Project is essential to the completion of the overall Expansion Project.
The Expansion Project was issued a Presidential Permit on May 31, 2024. The World Trade Bridge Expansion Project will construct an additional eight-lane bridge for northbound traffic adjacent to the existing bridge. The Expansion Project will also construct an additional two lanes for southbound traffic on the north side of the existing bridge, which will be entirely on City owned property, outside of the POE and thus will not be part of this DAP Project. The Expansion Project is fully supported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as it will facilitate the throughput of traffic at the World Trade Bridge POE, the nation’s number 1 commercial crossing. Planning for the
Expansion Project is well underway. The City has submitted the Conceptual Plans and HEC-RAS study to the U.S. Section of the U.S.-Mexico International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC). The City is working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on the Plans, Specifications, and Estimates phase of the design. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the lead federal agency on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, with the support of TxDOT. The Mexican Federal Government supports the Expansion Project, and the State of Tamaulipas is the sponsor of the Mexican side.
As part of the Expansion Project, the City of Laredo will construct a new 8-lane bridge for northbound commercial traffic that will align with the Multi-Energy Portals (MEP) in the pre-primary inspection area of the POE. The City will work with CBP and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to install temporary security fencing and portable concrete traffic barriers, and it will take other measures so that construction of the new bridge will be done on City property (to be acquired as part of the Expansion Project) and on federal property outside of the CBP temporary secured areas, so as not to affect CBP operations. This DAP Project constitutes a necessary phase of construction required to connect the new bridge to the existing POE. The construction of the new northbound bridge is expected to begin in May 2026 and to be completed in July 2027. This DAP project would take place after start of the new bridge construction and will be completed prior to the opening of the new northbound bridge.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Approval of this motion.
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Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Year: 2025
Budgeted Y/N?: Y
Source of Funds: Bridge Construction Fund
Account #: 553-4050-587-7301
Change Order: Exceeds 25% Y/N: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding is available in the Bridge Construction Fund.