Veterans International Bridge Infrastructure Improvements Complete
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — A major infrastructure improvement project at the Veterans International Bridge Land Port of Entry (Los Tomates LPOE) in Brownsville is now complete. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Cameron County, and the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) collaborated on the project, which significantly enhances the crossing.
Funded in part by over $17 million in investments from Cameron County and CCRMA through CBP’s Donations Acceptance Program, the improvements include four new privately owned vehicle lanes, eight expanded secondary inspection bays, a new head house, and demolition of the outdated head house. Additional funding covered equipment and technology upgrades.
Project Success and Impact
Diane J. Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, stated, "This project demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships. We've not only improved infrastructure but also laid the foundation for future growth and productivity."
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. added, “The large-scale improvements at the Veterans International Bridge (Los Tomates Bridge/Puente Internacional Ignacio Zaragoza) are complete, uniting the Brownsville and Matamoros border region. The project, fully operational in the coming months, will improve vehicle commute times, border trade, and crossings, boosting our local economy.”
Public-Private Partnership
The project addresses inefficiencies, reducing wait times and increasing processing capacity. It exceeded expectations and significantly modernizes the facility's operations. This success highlights the benefits of public-private partnerships, a key component of CBP’s Resource Optimization Strategy, enabling CBP to expand services and infrastructure at ports of entry. CBP and GSA are authorized to accept donations under 6 U.S.C. § 301a and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 for port-of-entry improvements.
For more information, visit www.cbp.gov/DAP. A complete list of local and regional CBP social media accounts is also available.