Federal agency considers eliminating commercial vehicles at Texas port of entry

As the U.S. General Services Administration mulls over options for a “modernization project” at the Bridge of the Americas, eliminating commercial vehicle traffic is among the proposals under consideration for the overhaul of the United States-Mexico border crossing.

Located in El Paso, Texas, the bridge connects the central portions of El Paso and Juarez, Mexico, and currently handles commercial, passenger vehicle and pedestrian border traffic.

In September, the agency released a draft of its Environmental Impact Statement for the project, which “examines the potential social, economic and environmental impacts” of three suggested alternatives chosen from a larger list. Among those alternatives is a proposal that would eliminate both northbound and southbound commercial vehicle traffic.

In its statement, the agency noted that proposal as the “preferred alternative” of the three, saying it would “best meet the requirements of the federal government while addressing the social, economic and environmental impacts of the project.”

The start of the project is planned for late 2026. During the construction period – an estimated three years – commercial traffic will be halted at the Bridge of the Americas. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, said that window will give the state a glimpse of what a complete ban would look like.

“If commercial traffic goes away for three years, anyway, wouldn’t it make sense to begin thinking about the permanent elimination in order to make sure the bridge is constructed in the most efficient way?” she asked.

Additionally, Escobar cited data from the Texas Department of Transportation that shows truck traffic at the border crossing has declined in recent years.

“We would not have supported the removal of commercial traffic – not from my perspective – if the other ports of entry in the region could not absorb commercial traffic that will no longer go through the Bridge of the Americas,” she said.

As of press time in early October, public comments were being accepted through Nov. 4. LL