World Trade Bridge 26th Anniversary Ceremony, 04/15/2026

The City of Laredo held a ceremony on April 15, 2026, to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the World Trade Bridge, a critical commercial crossing between the United States and Mexico. The event featured speeches from city officials, including the mayor and state representatives, as well as federal transportation administrators. Key procurement-related discussions focused on the ongoing and planned expansion of the bridge infrastructure, including a new eight-lane northbound bridge and additional southbound lanes, with construction anticipated to begin in January 2027 and completion targeted for July 2028. The expansion aims to increase capacity to 18 lanes total and incorporate modern safety and inspection technologies. The meeting also highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies to maintain efficient and safe trade operations. Additionally, the ceremony recognized private sector contributions, notably honoring Carlos Fernandez Martinez for his leadership in transportation and trade facilitation.