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City of Pharr to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony for Bridge Expansion and DAP 16 Project on Wed., 8/14 @ 11 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2024

Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr, in collaboration with the Pharr International Bridge, is thrilled to announce the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the monumental Bridge Expansion and DAP 16 Project. This event marks the beginning of an estimated $44 million construction initiative spearheaded by the City of Pharr, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The ceremony is set to take place on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, Texas 78577).

The Bridge Expansion and DAP 16 Project will significantly enhance the region’s trade infrastructure, marking a new era in international commerce through the Pharr International Bridge.

The Kika de la Garza Land Port of Entry (LPOE), connected to the Pharr International Bridge—the third-largest trade hub with Mexico in Texas and the seventh-largest land port of entry in the United States—will receive nearly 77,000 square feet of additional space through the Donations Acceptance Program (DAP). This extensive upgrade is crucial for addressing the growing demands of border management by integrating customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into a coordinated system.

With the bridge handling 65% of the nation’s produce from Mexico and facilitating over $47 billion in annual trade, these enhancements will significantly benefit the City of Pharr, the State of Texas, and the nation, ensuring the infrastructure meets the increasing needs of international commerce.

The DAP 16 Project, initially proposed in 2016, represents a major expansion effort that has been in the planning and development stage for years and includes:

Dock Expansion – Phase I (Dry Dock): This expansion will increase the dry dock area to accommodate 12 additional trucks for intensive inspections. Designed to handle both non-refrigerated agricultural goods and non-agricultural commercial products, this expansion will be carried out in phases to avoid disrupting current operations. The expansion will extend the dock depth from 50 to 80 feet, optimizing the space to allow each truck to use a single dock, improving efficiency.
Dock Expansion – Phase II (Cold Inspection Facility): To meet the rising demand for produce shipments, this phase introduces a new cold inspection facility with 13 dock spaces and 21,000 square feet of refrigerated units. The facility will maintain the cold chain throughout the inspection process, ensuring that perishable goods retain their freshness and shelf life.
Regional Agricultural Laboratory & Training Center: The new 8,000-square-foot facility will be adjacent to the expanded dock and cold inspection areas. It will serve as a fully-equipped laboratory and training center for agriculture specialists, entomologists, and insect identifiers. This center will speed up the identification of pests and diseases, allowing trucks to move through the inspection process more quickly, thus reducing delays.

In addition to the DAP 16 Project, the City of Pharr and Pharr International Bridge are also embarking on a major Bridge Expansion Project, which will double the capacity of the bridge. A new ‘twin span’ will be constructed parallel to the existing bridge, adding four lanes and a sidewalk. This expansion will feature two crossovers, enhanced lighting, and electronic signage, all aimed at improving traffic flow, reducing wait times, and enhancing safety. The additional lanes will also allow for better traffic management, especially in cases of accidents or mechanical breakdowns.

The bridge expansion will facilitate the seamless transition from four to six northbound lanes, optimizing the separation of different types of traffic, including FAST, non-FAST, and empty trucks on the commercial side, as well as SENTRI, Ready Lane, and other vehicles on the passenger side. The City of Pharr is closely coordinating with CBP and GSA to ensure the new span supports federal operations at the Port of Entry.

“This groundbreaking signifies a major step forward in the evolution of the Pharr International Bridge,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “The DAP 16 Project and the Bridge Expansion will not only increase our capacity but will also improve the efficiency and safety of international trade through our region,” he continued. “Our collaboration with our partners on the Mexican side of the bridge and federal agencies ensures that these enhancements will support the growing demands of international commerce while maintaining the highest standards of security and service,” added Hernandez.

The City of Pharr and the Pharr International Bridge are proud to host this momentous occasion, celebrating progress and innovation in the region’s trade infrastructure. The Pharr International Bridge continues to undergo pivotal upgrades as city and bridge leaders invest in enhancing bridge operations, efficiency, and infrastructure improvements.

All media and the public are invited to attend.

DETAILS
WHAT: City of Pharr Groundbreaking Ceremony for Bridge Expansion and DAP 16 Project
WHEN: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 11 AM
WHERE: Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)