The McAllen–Hidalgo International Bridge is a road bridge crossing the Rio Grande between the state of Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico and the state of Texas in the southwestern United States.

History

As of 2015, the bridge includes two different structures, one for southbound traffic to Reynosa in Tamaulipas, Mexico and one for northbound traffic to McAllen, Texas, 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 is associated with the bridge that connects the cities of Hidalgo and McAllen in Texas to the city of Reynosa in Tamaulipas. The road bridge has two spans, north and south bound, of four lanes each. This bridge has a SENTRI 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. Crossing the bridge north into Texas can take up to 1-2 hours at the Hidalgo Texas Port of Entry, 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.