Valley cities: We need direct connectors between Anzalduas Highway and I-2

MISSION, Texas - The lack of direct connectors between FM 396 (Anzalduas Highway) to I-2 will hinder Anzalduas International Bridge’s expansion into a fully operational commercial port of entry.

And until they are built there will not be a seamless movement of commercial vehicles. 

This is the view of the cities of McAllen, Mission, Granjeno, and Hidalgo. The cities, working with the Anzalduas International Toll Bridge Board of Trustees, have passed resolutions urging the Texas Department of Transportation to build the connectors. 

Here is the resolution:

WHEREAS, the Anzalduas International Toll Bridge Board of Trustees represents the cities of McAllen, Mission, Granjeno, and Hidalgo, Texas located in Hidalgo County, Texas, and,

WHEREAS, the Anzalduas International Toll Bridge is a vital international port of entry on the US-Mexico border, providing for a strategic corridor and key gateway for international trade and commerce between the Rio Grande Valley and Northern Mexico; and,

WHEREAS, the Texas Transportation Commission passed Minute Order Number 110427 on February 23, 2006, designating FM 396 as a controlled access facility to support the movement of motor vehicle traffic to and from the Anzalduas International Toll Bridge; and, 

WHEREAS, US Expressway 83 has been designated as Interstate 2 and the lack of direct connectors prevents the seamless movement of commercial vehicles and hinders the Anzalduas International Toll Bridge’s expansion into a fully operational commercial port of entry; and,

WHEREAS, the Anzalduas International Toll Bridge Board of Trustees desire to express its full support for the development and construction of direct connectors between FM 396 and Interstate 2; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ANZALDUAS INTERNATIONAL TOLL BRIDGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THAT:

1. The above recitals are hereby found to be true and correct by the Anzalduas International Toll Bridge Board of Trustees and incorporated herein for all purposes.
2. The Anzalduas International Toll Bridge Board of Trustees hereby expresses its full support of the Texas Department of Transportation’s development and construction of the FM 396 (Anzalduas Highway) director connectors to Interstate 2 project. 

Juan Olaguibel, superintendent of bridges for the City of McAllen, along with McAllen City Manager Isaac 'Ike' Tawil, made the case for direct connectors at a recent meeting of the Texas Freight Advisory Committee. Click here to read the story. 

Finding the funding for the direct connectors was also a top priority for the cities of McAllen and Mission during the last legislative session.