Replacement of the Cordova International/Bridge of the
Americas began on June 27,
1996 when construction started on the Mexican side. The U.S. contractor
began work on the U.S. side on July 14, 1996.
The current bridge opened in 1967 and is used daily by 27,000 passenger and 1,000
commercial vehicles. The increase in commercial traffic over the last 10 years has exceeded the
bridge's intended capacity and weight limits, causing "serious deterioration in the bridge decking,
beams, columns and other structural components."
Minute Number 290 of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC)
meeting of September 21, 1993 resolved to replace the bridge with a new one and that the new bridge
shall remain toll-free for passenger traffic.
The replacement consists of two independent bridges for passenger traffic, four lanes
each way, and two for commercial traffic, two lanes each way as well, for
a total of 12 lanes. North
and south bound pedestrian walkways will also be provided. The new, ultra-modern bridge will be
large enough to accommodate large commercial trucks over 30 tons. The current bridge is built mostly
on U.S. soil, 80/20. The new bridge will expand further into Mexico, 60/40, allowing the
construction of a new Fronterizo (Border) Boulevard underneath it on the Mexican side.
The construction will take place in four stages. The stages will not impede traffic on
the current bridge. The old bridge will be torn down in north and south sections only after the north
and south bound replacement lanes have been completed.
The estimated cost of the project is $12 million. Both Mexico and the United States
will contribute $5 million while $2 million is to come from a $5 fee assessed to each commercial truck.
Sources: Rene Valenzuela, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. section of the IBWC, The El Paso Times.