HARLINGEN, Texas - The Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios is the crown jewel of Cameron County’s international bridge system, according to the county’s economic development director, Ramiro Aleman.
The bridge is also known as “Los Indios-Lucio Blanco Bridge”, “Puente Lucio Blanco-Los Indios”, “Puente Internacional Libre Comercio” and “Los Indios Free Trade Bridge”. It is owned and operated by Cameron County. However, the cities of Harlingen and San Benito each receive 25% of the net revenues. The bridge facilities are located on a 127-acre tract of land.
Aleman spoke about Los Indios at a Rio Grande Valley Partnership Commercialization and Investment Tour event, held at TSTC-Harlingen’s Welcome Center. The event was sponsored by Harlingen Economic Development Corporation.
“What I like to call the One Big Beautiful Bridge, Los Indios is, I think, the crown jewel of the Cameron County International Bridge system, and you can quote me on that,” Aleman said.
During a panel discussion, Aleman was asked to give an update on Cameron County’s international bridge system.
“Cameron County is at the forefront of innovation when it comes to international trade. I say that because I think we just accomplished something that's never been done before, at least from our research,” Aleman said.
“Cameron County is on the verge of purchasing an ownership stake in the B&M Bridge from Union Pacific. I don't think that's ever been done before, at least through our research. With that purchase, Cameron County will now own Veterans Bridge at Los Tomates, which is a commercial and passenger bridge,” Aleman said.
“And Gateway Bridge, which is passenger only, is about to have tremendous upgrades. Over $100 million in upgrades (is coming), plus an additional standalone pedestrian bridge which will ease crossings.”
Aleman then waxed lyrical about Los Indios.
“What I like to call the One Big Beautiful Bridge, Los Indios, is, I think, the crown jewel of the Cameron County International Bridge System, and you can quote me on that. The reason I say that is because it's an overweight corridor and an oversized corridor. You see all those wind turbines? They don't cross anywhere else but Los Indios, because that's the only bridge capable (of carrying such cargo). Not only that, but we also have a cold storage and a cold room facility for (fresh produce) inspections.”
Aleman said any type of fruit or vegetable can cross at Los Indios.
“Fruits or vegetables that need to keep that cold chain, they can cross through here and never break that cold chain. Also, USDA has an agriculture inspection facility there. So, anytime they find any type of anomaly in the product, they can identify it on site. If they have to send it to a lab, that can take hours, days sometimes. But the advantage of us having it at our location is definitely something that we should be promoting, because it is a big advantage for us,” Aleman said.
“I think it is a prime location that you are able to build on, especially here in Harlingen, because the overweight corridor goes right through the industrial park all the way to the Aerotropolis, and the Port of Harlingen. And so, I think that's a great opportunity for investments.”
In a Q&A session after the panel discussion had ended, Aleman was asked if interest was still being shown by an aerospace company from the United Arab Emirates. The RGG Business Journal had covered this story a few months back.
“Yes, actually, that company, from the United Arab Emirates, were here in Cameron County last week. So, they really want to be here. They're in the aerospace industry and so they really want to be at Starbase. And so what I told them was, right now, all of the available office space is owned by SpaceX, and I doubt seriously they're going to let another aerospace company come in, at least in their space,” Aleman said.
“But they were here last week, and they are still intent to come to Starbase or somewhere in Cameron County. So, yes, we're still working with them.”
Editor's Note: Here is an audio recording of everything Ramiro Aleman said during the panel discussion at the RGV Partnership event:
Editor's Note: Ramiro Aleman also gave a brief update on his work at a recent South Texas Manufacturers Association meeting in Harlingen. Here is what he had to say:
