The McAllen–Hidalgo International Bridge is a

road bridge A bridge is a structure built to Span (engineering), span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or railway) without blocking the path underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, whi ...

crossing the

Rio Grande The Rio Grande ( or ) in the United States or the Río Bravo (del Norte) in Mexico (), also known as Tó Ba'áadi in Navajo language, Navajo, is one of the principal rivers (along with the Colorado River) in the Southwestern United States a ...

between the state of

Tamaulipas Tamaulipas, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Tamaulipas, is a state in Mexico; one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 federal entities of Mexico. It is divided into 43 municipalities. It is located in nor ...

in northeastern

Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...

and the state of

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

in the southwestern

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

History

As of 2015, the bridge includes two different structures, one for southbound traffic to

Reynosa Reynosa () is a border city in the northern part of the state of Tamaulipas, in Mexico which also holds the municipal seat of Reynosa Municipality. The city is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande in the international Reynosa–McAlle ...

in Tamaulipas, Mexico and one for northbound traffic to

McAllen, Texas McAllen is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Hidalgo County. It is located at the southern tip of the state in the Rio Grande Valley, on the Mexican border. The city limits extend south to the Rio Grande, acros ...

, United States. The four-lane southbound structure is 524 in length and was completed in 1965. The four-lane northbound structures is 852 length and was completed in 1987.

Route

The

Hidalgo Texas Port of Entry __NOTOC__ The Hidalgo Texas Port of Entry is located at the northern end of the McAllen–Hidalgo–Reynosa International Bridge, in the city of Hidalgo, Hidalgo County, Texas. The northbound traffic is coming from the city of Reynosa in Tamaul ...

is associated with the bridge that connects the cities of

Hidalgo Hidalgo may refer to: People * Hidalgo (nobility), members of the Spanish nobility * Hidalgo (surname) Places Mexico :''Most, if not all, named for Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)'' * Hidalgo (state), in central Mexico * Hidalgo, Coah ...

and

McAllen McAllen is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Hidalgo County. It is located at the southern tip of the state in the Rio Grande Valley, on the Mexican border. The city limits extend south to the Rio Grande, across ...

in Texas to the city of

in Tamaulipas. The road bridge has two spans, north and south bound, of four lanes each. This bridge has a

SENTRI The Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) provides expedited U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing, at the U.S.–Mexico border, of pre-approved travelers considered low-risk. Voluntary applicants must ...

Lane.

Jurisdictions

As of 2015, the bridge is under the administration of the City of McAllen and the US and the federal government of Mexico on the south port of entry, though its US location is in Hidalgo, Texas, Hidalgo County, Texas, within the Pharr District of the

Texas Department of Transportation The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT ) is a Texas state government agency responsible for construction and maintenance of the state's immense Texas state highway system, state highway system and the support of the state's maritime trans ...

. Crossing the bridge north into Texas can take up to 1–2 hours at the

, as the U.S. border agents stop all vehicles and the lines can be very long. Recently a Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection−SENTRI lane was designated, which for an extra yearly fee shortens the U.S. entry time from Mexico. Crossing the bridge south into Tamaulipas is generally quicker, as the Mexican border agents usually check few incoming vehicles. Since 1996, all northbound trucks are required to use the Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge to enter the U.S.

Border crossing

The Hidalgo Texas Port of Entry is located at the northern end of the McAllen–Hidalgo–Reynosa International Bridge, in the city of Hidalgo. The northbound traffic is coming from the city of Reynosa. Since 1996, all northbound trucks are required to use the Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge to enter the U.S. from Reynosa.

References

External links