Mexican president helps inaugurate Donna-Rio Bravo bridge

DONNA — The Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge opened its gates Tuesday with an inaugural crowd that included President Felipe Calderón.

Calderón, Tamaulipas Governor Eugenio Hernandez Flores and U.S. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa were three of the more prominent leaders to turn out for a celebration on the Mexican side of the bridge for its opening day.

Calderón said that people in the region have difficulty crossing the border due to time delays and the bridge was an example of the government working for the people. He also emphasized the importance of Mexican products in the U.S. market and infrastructure like the bridge being crucial to trade both directions.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on the U.S. side of the bridge prior to the Mexico event featuring speeches from U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, and Donna city officials. Buses then took the several dozen commissioners, reporters and others across the river where hundreds of people gathered under a large tent to hear Calderón, Flores, Hinojosa and others speak.

 “The federal investment of $110 million over 10 years to manage and fund building (this bridge) is an indication that the federal government wants to improve its trade and commerce with Mexico,” said Hinojosa after the ceremony. “This bridge will be a catalyst to create the prosperity that we have seen in other communities.”

Despite much touting of a commercial boon, the bridge is open only to non-commercial vehicles and will not be available for commercial use for several years.

Donna Mayor David Simmons said the international permit is in place to allow truck traffic, but an inspection facility still needs to be built. Officials expect the bridge to open to commercial traffic in 2012, but Simmons said he hopes trucks will be able to cross sooner than then.

“We need that truck traffic,” he said.

Local leaders have wanted a bridge connecting Donna and Rio Bravo since the 1950s. In the 1990s a presidential permit for the project was misplaced and many assumed the bridge would never be built. But the project was revived in 1998 and a new permit was granted.

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Elizabeth Findell covers Pharr, San Juan, Alamo and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4428.