World Trade International Bridge

Infobox_Bridge
bridge_name= World Trade International Bridge

250px
caption= Laredo International Bridge 4
official_name= World Trade International Bridge
also_known_as= Laredo International Bridge 4
carries= Commercial Vehicles Only
crosses= Rio Grande
locale= Laredo, Texas –
Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas
maint= City of Laredo
Secretariat of Communication and Transportation
id=
design= Box Girder Bridge
mainspan=
length= 977 ft (343 m)
width= 262 ft (80 m)
clearance=
below=
traffic= Commercial:
3,579
open= 2000
closed=
toll= Commercial Vehicles
$2.75 per Axle
map_cue= Bridge Location
map_

map_text=
map_width= 160px
coordinates=coord|27.597291|-99.537119|type:landmark_region:US|display=title,inlineThe World Trade International Bridge is one of four international bridges located in the cities of Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, that connect the United States and Mexico over the Rio Grande (Río Bravo). It is owned and operated by City of Laredo and the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (Mexico's federal Secretariat of Communication and Transportation). It is also known as Laredo International Bridge 4.

History

The World Trade International Bridge's construction started on September 30, 1998, and the bridge was completed in April 15, 2000. The international bridge was named in honor of a free World Trade market, because international trade is one of the key components to the Laredo / Nuevo Laredo economies. The World Trade International Bridge was built to alleviate traffic congestion in Interstate Highway 35 south through Laredo, Texas since most commercial traffic could only cross through the one lane dedicated to commercial vehicles at Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge or the further north Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge in Nuevo Leon.

Description

The World Trade International Bridge is an eight-lane bridge. The bridge is 977 feet long and 262 feet wide. The international bridge is for commercial traffic only. The bridge is also known as Laredo North, Bridge 4, Laredo IV, Puente Internacional Nuevo Laredo III and Puente del Comercio Mundial Nuevo Laredo III. [ [http://www.dot.state.tx.us/services/transportation_planning_and_programming/border_crossings_study/crossings/worldtrade.htm TxDOT Transportation Planning; Border Crossings] ]

Future Plans

The City of Laredo has been talking to the Mexican Government about expanding the World Trade International Bridge by adding nine more lanes by 2012, in order to cut down delays of the movement of goods.

Location

This bridge is located in the Northwestern Loop 20 termini in Laredo, Texas and in north Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas Municipality via Mexican Federal Highway 2 North.

Hours of Operation
8AM - 12 Midnight Monday - Friday
8AM - 4PM Saturday
10AM - 2PM Sunday
All times Central Time Zone

References

External links

* [http://www.laredotexas.gov/bridgesys/bridge4hugecam.htm World Trade International Bridge Webcam (American Side)]
* [http://www.laredotexas.gov/bridge4mexhuge.htm World Trade International Bridge Webcam (Mexican Side)]
* [http://www.lmtonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18322793&BRD=2290&PAG=461&dept_id=569392&rfi=6 Expansion of the World Trade International Bridge]
* [http://www.cityoflaredo.com/bridgesys/Reports/TrafficDist.htm Statistical Data]