The Presidio International Bridge connects Ojinaga, Mexico to Presidio, Texas over the Rio Grande. It is currently operated by the State of Texas, but Presidio County Commissioners Court wants to take over ownership. This change would allow the county to have more control over the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the bridge.
The county commissioners believe that by having more say in how the bridge operates, they can undertake projects to expand and promote trade. While some people are concerned about the costs associated with maintaining an international bridge, the county is hoping to follow the success of cities like Laredo, which have seen significant economic growth due to their international bridges.
There is a dark history surrounding the former operator of the bridge, H.E. Dupuy, who owned and operated the bridge in the 1920s. He faced backlash for unfairly targeting Mexican-Americans and Mexican nationals, which eventually led to the county taking control of the bridge after a violent altercation.
To transfer ownership of the bridge to Presidio County, local representatives need to navigate through TxDOT, the State Department, and ultimately the White House. The decision on the transfer of ownership will ultimately be up to the president in early November.
Overall, the push for Presidio County to take control of the international bridge is fueled by the desire to promote trade, economic growth, and have more local oversight of the bridge’s operations. The process is complex and involves multiple levels of government approval, but the county remains hopeful for a positive outcome. If you found this article informative, please consider supporting quality journalism by making a donation to texasstandard.org and KUT.org. Your contribution helps fund important news reporting.
