by Jim Barton Sources: Texas Tribune, Border Report, Office of Vicente Gonzalez, Jr.
President Donald Trump has approved construction of a new pedestrian-only international bridge connecting Brownsville and Matamoros, a project long sought by local officials to improve safety and reduce congestion at one of the busiest border crossings.
On Wednesday, Trump issued a presidential permit authorizing Cameron County to begin building the new Gateway Pedestrian International Bridge. The two-lane span will cross the river just upstream of the existing Gateway International Bridge and is expected to cost $10 million.
Cameron County Judge Eddie TreviΓ±o Jr. announced Thursday that work could now move forward: “Yesterday, the Trump administration granted a presidential permit to Cameron County to construct, maintain and operate a pedestrian border crossing at the Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville, Texas,” TreviΓ±o said.
The project, which has been in the works since December 2024, was made possible through a federal law that allows presidential permits to be fast-tracked for international crossings in Cameron, Maverick, and Webb counties while environmental reviews are still underway. However, construction must stop if environmental concerns arise during the process.
County officials said the dedicated pedestrian crossing will help ease traffic for the roughly 12,000 people who walk across the bridge each day, while separating them from passenger vehicles. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) praised the approval. “I would like to thank the Trump administration for granting this permit. Every day people cross to go to work and attend school,” Gonzalez said. “This project will provide students and families a safer way to travel while also reducing traffic that slows down commerce and daily life for our border community. This is an excellent example of how bipartisan support leads to great results for everyone involved.”
Gonzalez, who has advocated for expansion of the Gateway International Bridge, secured $133 million in funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and worked with Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and other lawmakers to pass language in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act supporting new crossings in South Texas.
The presidential permit, issued under 33 U.S.C. 535d, lays out conditions to ensure compliance with federal laws, mitigation of environmental impacts, and cooperation with relevant agencies. It requires Cameron County to secure additional authorizations, fund construction, and operate and maintain the facilities. The President retains the authority to revoke or amend the permit at any time, and construction must begin within five years or the permit will expire. The document also makes clear the permit does not create enforceable rights against the U.S. government.
In addition to the new pedestrian crossing, the Trump administration has also issued permits for the $25 million Flor de Mayo International Bridge, a four-lane vehicular bridge linking north Brownsville and Matamoros that could open by May 31, 2029.
Local officials say the Gateway Pedestrian International Bridge will not only improve safety and mobility but also bolster downtown economies on both sides of the Rio Grande. “Over the past year, Cameron County and the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority have actively advanced the project by collaborating with legislators to address the county’s infrastructure needs,” officials said in a statement, noting that federal legislation passed in late 2023 helped accelerate the timeline by up to five years.
The administration described the permit’s issuance as “a major milestone in strengthening our nation’s border infrastructure, supporting economic growth, and reinforcing our bilateral relationship with Mexico.” The new crossing, it said, will promote “safe, efficient and legitimate travel and commerce between the United States and Mexico, bringing tangible benefits to communities on both sides of the border.”
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