Texas officials hope that a new truck-only toll lane that opened this week on the Anzalduas International Bridge will help to bring in profit to the Rio Grande Valley.
Officials Say New Toll Lane Will Save Truckers Time And Money
McAllen Mayor Jim Darling says that the new toll lane will save truckers time and will mean “more money for the drivers.”
The new lane opened for empty southbound trucks on Monday on the bridge which was previously only available to passenger traffic. Truckers that previously used the Pharr International Bridge will now have the option to pay the toll and save time in the new lane on their return trip after dropping off their loads.
Cities Look Forward To Truck Toll Revenue
Eighty percent of the revenue from truck tolls will be split by McAllen, Mission, Hidalgo, and Granjeno. McAllen estimated that the new truck lane would bring in $800,000 per year in toll revenue, but it is still unclear how many truckers will actually choose to cross the Anzalduas International Bridge.
According to the toll schedule on the bridge’s website, a six axle truck will pay $20 to cross.
Texas transportation officials spent $35,000 to add the new lane and gave Mexico $1.1 million for upgrades on their side of the bridge.
The Anzalduas International Bridge opened in 2009 and connects Texas’s Rio Grande Valley with cites in Mexico such as Monterrey and Mexico City.
The first southbound commercial empty truck crosses Anzalduas International Bridge today! Congrats @CityofMcAllen pic.twitter.com/rGilpGZAQA
— Juan Chuy Hinojosa (@TxChuy) August 22, 2016
Empty trucks are about to cross Anzalduas International Bridge southbound for the first time ever. #RGV pic.twitter.com/yRkED0wOaM
— Rio Grande Guardian (@RioGGuardian) August 22, 2016
Sources:
KRGV
The Monitor