World Trade Bridge to extend Saturday hours through pilot program

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A new pilot program starting Sept. 5 will extend World Trade Bridge operational hours by three hours on Saturdays, running from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The three-month pilot program is a joint effort by customs officials on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. The city of Laredo is also helping track traffic needs.

Nery Gonzalez, a truck driver, said the extended hours work in his favor.

“If it’s extended until 7 at night, then it really works in our favor, because a lot of merchandise stays in Mexico and doesn’t make it across to the United States,” Gonzalez said. “So, yeah, yeah, it’s a bit beneficial.”

Jennifer M. Gutierrez said the program is meant to support commerce and growth.

“It’s all for the benefit and commerce of the U.S. and our city, and its growth,” Gutierrez said. “So, that’s the main reason why this pilot program is going through.”

Officials hope the new hours will give drivers more flexibility, ease traffic and speed up crossings.

Gonzalez described delays under the current schedule.

“Sometimes they end up waiting until 3 in the afternoon, the lines get long, they don’t make it across in time, their hours expire, and for them it’s much better if the schedule is extended so they can cross a bit more,” Gonzalez said.

The pilot program is only for the World Trade Bridge. Victor Hugo Rodriguez Lopez, a truck driver, said he hopes the schedule change leads to additional hours on other days of the week.

“It’s a good option to extend the schedule,” Rodriguez Lopez said. “I think from there they’ll move forward to possibly later open other schedules, whether on Sundays or even during the week, right?”

The extra time window will be studied to understand the change’s impact.

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