Empty southbound commercial traffic for the Anzalduas International Bridge took a big step forward recently as a test run with a vacant tractor trailer passed all tests and was deemed a success.

The empty 18-wheeler left the United States southbound to Mexico on August 25, 2014 through the Anzalduas outbound lane– following the pattern and route southbound unoccupied trucks would take once they begin running full time. Everything went off without a snag.

The Anzalduas International Bridge, owned by the cities of McAllen, Mission and Hidalgo, opened to non-commercial traffic in 2009. Anzalduas’ presidential permit, which every international bridge must attain through the U.S. State Department in order to operate, allows the point of entry to begin commercial traffic operations beginning January 1, 2015.

“We look forward to working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and our counterparts in Mexico to expedite and help decongest other bridges by commencing commercial empty truck traffic in 2015,” said Rigo Villarreal, Superintendent of Bridges.

Watch bridge traffic live at City of McAllen website:

https://cameras.mcallen.net:8082/index.html#view=cba18b15-9ebf-41cf-81df-241d2a0c9a30

The August test run sent a cargo less truck south into Reynosa before making a quick turnaround back into the United States. Bridge officials were on the look out for the width of the lanes, curb space for the tractor-trailer and the height of the canopy at the crossing. The bridge met all of the criteria required.

Rio Grande Valley commercial truck traffic is expected to grow exponentially as Mexico coordinates its produce traffic to South Texas and the energy sector in that country opens to foreign investment. In Hidalgo County, only the Pharr-Reynosa and Progreso bridges can currently process commercial vehicles. The Pharr crossing averages over 40,000 southbound trucks a month, according to the Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development at Texas A&M International University.