Progreso-Nuevo Progreso International Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Progreso-Nuevo Progreso International Bridge on the U.S.–Mexico border
, has been in operation at this location since 1952. It connects the cities of Progreso Lakes, Texas
, and Nuevo Progreso
(in Río Bravo Municipality
), Tamaulipas
.
here for the exportation of corn and grain to Mexico
. This exportation of agriculture products continued to grow to the point that four grain elevators are now exporting agriculture products to Mexico (corn, grain sorghum
, cotton seed, beans, and popcorn). With the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), a substantial increase in commercial traffic in both directions has developed and a new bridge was seen as necessary.
The State of Texas
recognizes the importance of the Progreso Bridge. From 1993 through the end of 1997, the Texas Department of Transportation
invested over $10 million in FM 1015, which connects to US 83
and points north. The Texas Department of Transportation
invested over $5 million more in 1998 and in 1999 to provide for five lanes of traffic.
The new bridge was completed in 2003 and has been an instant success. With its broad covered walkways on each side the walk across has become a delight. Four lanes of traffic speed the flow of cars going either way. The soon to be opened truck bridge, located to the East side, will remove the heavy truck traffic and will make the crossing even more pleasurable.
Bridge traffic has been very substantial over the past decade, both southbound and northbound. Since 2000, about 1.25 million pedestrians cross the bridge each year. Another million cars make the Southbound crossing. Truck and tour bus traffic has also increased steadily. Much of the truck crossing now carries grain, primarily corn for tortillas, to Mexico. Very little truck cargo crosses from Mexico, although this is expected to change with the opening of the new truck bridge.
The Port of Entry building will soon be remodeled. The concourse will be broadened and upgraded. There will be three counters to handle the crush of returning shoppers. As of February 19, 2009, this has not yet been completed.
U.S. citizens can visit within the frontera area (a 26-mile border area of Mexico) for up to 72 hours without a permit. It is always a good idea to carry proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate
, a valid state driver’s license, a valid state non-driver identification card, or valid United States passport
. Naturalized U.S. citizens must carry their proof of citizenship.
Tourist permits are required for those planning to go beyond the limit of the frontera. These are available in Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas
just after you cross the bridge.
Parking is located on both sides of FM 1015 before you enter the toll gate. Parking is nominal and the lots are paved and there's someone on duty during all daylight hours.
Currently, a $2.00 toll is required when traveling in either direction per vehicle.
United States–Mexico border
The United States–Mexico border is the international border between the United States and Mexico. It runs from Imperial Beach, California, and Tijuana, Baja California, in the west to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and Brownsville, Texas, in the east, and traverses a variety of terrains, ranging from major...
, has been in operation at this location since 1952. It connects the cities of Progreso Lakes, Texas
Progreso Lakes, Texas
Progreso Lakes is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 234 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 266...
, and Nuevo Progreso
Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas
Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas is a Mexican town in Río Bravo Municipality in the state of Tamaulipas located on the U.S.-Mexican border. The Progreso-Nuevo Progreso International Bridge connects the town with Progreso Lakes, Texas. The 2010 census showed a population of 10,178 inhabitants.-External...
(in Río Bravo Municipality
Río Bravo Municipality
Río Bravo Municipality is one of the municipalities of Tamaulipas. The seat is at Río Bravo, Tamaulipas.-Towns and villages:The largest localities are:-Adjacent municipalities and counties:...
), Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
.
History
The Progreso-Nuevo Progreso International Bridge has been in operation at this location since 1952. During the first years of operation the bridge had relatively low crossings of pedestrians, automobile, and commercial traffic. When it opened, it was open 5:00 a.m. to midnight. Toll roads were southbound only. Beginning in the 1970s, an increase in all three categories of crossing was seen. In 1981 Cargill, Inc. constructed a grain elevatorGrain elevator
A grain elevator is a tower containing a bucket elevator, which scoops up, elevates, and then uses gravity to deposit grain in a silo or other storage facility...
here for the exportation of corn and grain to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. This exportation of agriculture products continued to grow to the point that four grain elevators are now exporting agriculture products to Mexico (corn, grain sorghum
Sorghum
Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...
, cotton seed, beans, and popcorn). With the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994. It superseded the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement...
(NAFTA), a substantial increase in commercial traffic in both directions has developed and a new bridge was seen as necessary.
The State of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
recognizes the importance of the Progreso Bridge. From 1993 through the end of 1997, the Texas Department of Transportation
Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Texas. Its stated mission is to "work cooperatively to provide safe, effective and efficient movement of people and goods" throughout the state...
invested over $10 million in FM 1015, which connects to US 83
U.S. Route 83 in Texas
In the U.S. state of Texas, U.S. Highway 83, dedicated as the Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, is a U.S. Highway that begins at US 77 in Brownsville and follows the Rio Grande to Laredo, then heads north through Abilene to the Oklahoma border north of Perryton, the seat of Ochiltree County...
and points north. The Texas Department of Transportation
Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Texas. Its stated mission is to "work cooperatively to provide safe, effective and efficient movement of people and goods" throughout the state...
invested over $5 million more in 1998 and in 1999 to provide for five lanes of traffic.
The new bridge was completed in 2003 and has been an instant success. With its broad covered walkways on each side the walk across has become a delight. Four lanes of traffic speed the flow of cars going either way. The soon to be opened truck bridge, located to the East side, will remove the heavy truck traffic and will make the crossing even more pleasurable.
Bridge traffic has been very substantial over the past decade, both southbound and northbound. Since 2000, about 1.25 million pedestrians cross the bridge each year. Another million cars make the Southbound crossing. Truck and tour bus traffic has also increased steadily. Much of the truck crossing now carries grain, primarily corn for tortillas, to Mexico. Very little truck cargo crosses from Mexico, although this is expected to change with the opening of the new truck bridge.
The Port of Entry building will soon be remodeled. The concourse will be broadened and upgraded. There will be three counters to handle the crush of returning shoppers. As of February 19, 2009, this has not yet been completed.
Requirements for crossing
United States Passports are mandatory since June 1, 2009. Options will include a United States passport card ($40.00) or a United States passport book ($100.00), both good for 10 years and available at most United States post offices.U.S. citizens can visit within the frontera area (a 26-mile border area of Mexico) for up to 72 hours without a permit. It is always a good idea to carry proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate
Birth certificate
A birth certificate is a vital record that documents the birth of a child. The term "birth certificate" can refer to either the original document certifying the circumstances of the birth or to a certified copy of or representation of the ensuing registration of that birth...
, a valid state driver’s license, a valid state non-driver identification card, or valid United States passport
United States passport
United States passports are passports issued to citizens and non-citizen nationals of the United States of America. They are issued exclusively by the U.S. Department of State. Besides issuing passports , also limited use passport cards are issued by the same organization subject to the same...
. Naturalized U.S. citizens must carry their proof of citizenship.
Tourist permits are required for those planning to go beyond the limit of the frontera. These are available in Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas
Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas
Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas is a Mexican town in Río Bravo Municipality in the state of Tamaulipas located on the U.S.-Mexican border. The Progreso-Nuevo Progreso International Bridge connects the town with Progreso Lakes, Texas. The 2010 census showed a population of 10,178 inhabitants.-External...
just after you cross the bridge.
Crossing toll
A toll is collected when crossing of 25¢ for each pedestrian.Parking is located on both sides of FM 1015 before you enter the toll gate. Parking is nominal and the lots are paved and there's someone on duty during all daylight hours.
Currently, a $2.00 toll is required when traveling in either direction per vehicle.