Congressman Ruben Hinojosa Announces Federal Government Gives Go Ahead for International Bridge Improvements at Pharr and Donna

Press Release

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa announced the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and the General Services Administration (GSA) have authorized a tentative selection of the Pharr-Reynosa and the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridges under the federal government Donation Acceptance Program that will allow both bridges to accept donations of real property, personal property (including monetary donations) and non-personal services from private sector and government entities. These donations may be used for the purpose of construction, alteration, operations and maintenance of CBP or GSA port of entry facilities.

"I am very pleased with today's announcement by the CBP and GSA on selecting the Pharr-Reynosa and Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridges to be authorized to accept donations of real property, personal property and services and monetary donations to complete important projects needed for these two bridges," said U.S. Rep. Hinojosa. "The combined effort from my Congressional office and Congressman Filemon Vela along with the administrators and leaders from the Cities of Pharr and Donna and both international bridges has led to a successful agreement that will help facilitate trade in Hidalgo County. This effort has been a long time coming and I thank the Obama administration for their support in making this a reality."

"I want to congratulate the City of Donna on their years of work to commercialize the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge. Working with CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, and city officials, we were able to secure a 559 designation," U.S. Rep. Vela said. "The designation allows, for the first time, commercial truck traffic to cross this bridge. Commercial truck traffic will help bring economic development to the area and allow the City of Donna to decrease property taxes."

The City of Pharr, in Congressman Hinojosa's district, has already proposed installing additional commercial booths and renovations to facilitate agricultural inspections at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge. The City of Donna, in Congressman Vela's district, proposed installing new inspection facilities and technologies to facilitate outbound empty commercial vehicle inspections at the Donna-Río Bravo International Bridge.

Mayor of Pharr Dr. Ambrosio "Amos" Hernandez; "On behalf of the citizens of Pharr, I would personally like to thank Congressman Rubén Hinojosa for once again delivering the necessary resources to stimulate our region. With your steadfast leadership and vision, the City of Pharr can continue its economic development and strengthen its existing partnerships along the U.S. Mexican border."

Donna City Manager Fernando Flores; "It's good for the community; it promotes awareness of the investment that their taxes are going into. It will now bring economic relief and it will reduce the city's tax rate and that's what the council has been trying to do. It will also provide more jobs and have economic relief and that is a real blessing to the community, that we can provide better economic development opportunities to our community."

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