CBP Temporarily Modifies City of Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 Operating Hours Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2020
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Laredo, Texas Field Office announced a joint agreement with the Mexican Servicio de Administration Tributaria (SAT) to temporarily modify the operating hours of vehicular traffic at the City of Eagle Pass, Texas International Bridge No. 1 effective Monday, April 6, 2020, according to Randy J. Howe, Director, Field Operations, Laredo Field Office.
Starting on Monday, April 6, 2020, the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 operation hours for processing of northbound (from Mexico to the United States) passenger vehicular traffic will be from 7 A.M. to 3 P.M..
Howe stated that “the impact of COVID-19 has altered cross border activity, which has been a significant decrease in vehicular traffic, as travelers have adjusted to new norms, CBP and SAT will be implementing necessary measures in compliance with federal social distancing guidelines to ensure the health and safety of our workers and the traveling public.”
Howe added that “these temporary hours change will enable CBP and SAT to maximize resources, continue our ability to provide essential services to the public and observe necessary safety requirements for our employees…” in the Eagle Pass Port of Entry.
Eagle Pass International Bridge System Director Homero Balderas noted that the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 2 will continue to operate and remain open 24 hours a day and is not subject to the modified hours of International Bridge No. 1. Balderas added that all commercial traffic will continue to cross at the International Bridge No. 2. Balderas advised all Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras travelers using International Bridge No. 1 to take notice of the temporarily modified hours of operation commencing Monday, April 6, 2020.
The City of Eagle Pass fiscal year budget for 2019-2020 heavily relies on revenues generated from the two International Bridges owned by the City to sustain its municipal operations and programs. It is a strong possibility that the City of Eagle Pass will have to make budget cuts or adjustments in the near future to make up for the loss of revenues due to the significant decrease of revenues emanating from its two international bridges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and joint agreement between the United States and Mexico to close the southern border to only essential travel and international commerce and trade.
