Why San Luis Potosí officials are looking to Mission for future trade routes

A top economic development official from the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí visited the Rio Grande Valley this week as part of a push to route more cross-border cargo through Mission once the Anzalduas International Bridge begins handling northbound commercial traffic.

Mexican and Valley officials say congestion at Laredo-area crossings, combined with Anzalduas’ pending commercial expansion, is driving interest in establishing a new trade corridor linking Central Mexico manufacturers to South Texas.

That strategy is also shaping closer ties between Mission and the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí.

Mission EDC CEO Teclo Garcia is now an honorary representative of the state of San Luis Potosí, which has more than 2.8 million residents and is a hub for manufacturers, such as automakers. 

Garcia said the region is among the fastest growing in Mexico. 

“It has a very strong auto, auto parts, electronics and aerospace sectors, with a globally competitive economy anchored by major multinational employers and strong international investment,” Garcia said. 

General Motors, Goodyear, and BMW have significant operations in the region. 

“Ninety percent of what is produced in our state is finished product with its final destination being the United States,” said Jesús Salvador González Martínez, secretary of economic development of the State of San Luis Potosí. 

The Mexican state has a memorandum of understanding to increase cross border trade through the Valley and even an international trade office in Mission. 

“The majority of that merchandise crosses primarily by land and a significant portion through this border,” González Martínez said.

While some of those manufacturers send cargo through Laredo, Valley officials are hoping that congestion and bridge wait times may inspire companies to route more products across the Anzalduas International Bridge, which is co-owned by the cities of McAllen and Mission. 

The Anzalduas International Bridge opened about 15 years ago, but primarily serves pedestrians and passenger vehicles. It also allows empty southbound trucks. 

After an $88 million expansion project is completed to enable northbound cargo and commercial truck traffic, it could process 2,000 trucks each day. Commercial traffic is expected to begin in mid-2026. 

The U.S. side is completed, but officials are still waiting for Mexican authorities to complete its port of entry facilities for commercial traffic. 

“The machinery and everything that needs to be at the bridge, at least on this side, is complete,” Garcia said. “They do have to go through some calibration and training before it opens to cargo coming north. There’s a little bit of a question mark on how long before the Mexico side is ready.”