McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge marks 100 years of cross-border trade and connection

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored content provided by the City of McAllen. It was not produced by the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal editorial staff.

Community leaders, elected officials, and international dignitaries gathered to mark the 100th anniversary of the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, one of the Rio Grande Valley’s busiest international crossings.

The bridge opened in 1926 and has served for a century as a port of entry linking South Texas and Mexico, moving people and goods while anchoring the region’s international trade and tourism economy.

“The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge has been instrumental in shaping our community’s success for the past 100 years,” McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos said. “For a century, it has connected people, businesses, and opportunities while serving as a catalyst for economic growth and regional prosperity. As we celebrate this historic milestone, we also look ahead with a shared commitment to strengthening infrastructure that will ensure this gateway continues to serve our community and support binational collaboration.”

The ceremony opened with an invocation from Adan Guajardo, a supervisory chaplain with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Villalobos told the crowd the bridge has been a cornerstone of the region’s growth, describing it as a pathway for economic opportunity and cultural exchange as much as a physical connection between the two countries.

Hidalgo Mayor Sergio Coronado and Reynosa, Mexico, Mayor Carlos Peña Ortiz stressed the importance of continued binational cooperation, saying partnerships between border cities have remained resilient through difficult periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, credited the bridge with supporting regional commerce and strengthening ties between South Texas and Mexico. Juan Olaguibel, McAllen assistant city manager and superintendent of bridges, said the crossing remains a vital gateway for transportation, trade and economic activity.

City officials said the bridge has connected families, supported businesses and helped shape McAllen into an international commercial hub over its first century of operation.