Pharr and Brownsville bridges marked vulnerable as trade with Mexico hits record levels

By José Luis Martínez

South Texas border crossings that handle large volumes of freight — including the Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge and commercial bridges in Brownsville — were identified in a federal analysis as vulnerable to potential supply chain disruptions as U.S.–Mexico trade continues to expand.

The report, released Friday by the U.S. Department of Transportation, placed the Port of Hidalgo and the Port of Brownsville in the moderate risk category. (The federal government groups multiple border crossings under broader “port” designations.)

Port of Hidalgo includes:

• Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge — primary commercial truck crossing in the region
  
• Hidalgo–Reynosa International Bridge — passenger vehicles and pedestrians
  
• Donna–Rio Bravo International Bridge — passenger vehicles and limited commercial traffic
  
• Anzalduas International Bridge — passenger vehicles only and limited commercial traffic
  

Port of Brownsville includes:

• Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates — primary commercial truck crossing
  
• Gateway International Bridge — passenger vehicles and pedestrians
  
• B&M International Bridge — rail freight crossing
  

The warning comes as U.S.–Mexico trade continues to expand rapidly.

Freight moving between the two countries reached $872 billion in 2025, accounting for 16% of all U.S. freight trade, according to the Transborder Freight Data Annual Report.

That marks the fifth consecutive year of growth in U.S.–Mexico freight trade.

By comparison, trade between the U.S. and Canada has declined for three consecutive years, signaling a shift in North American supply chains toward Mexico.

Federal report flags “border resiliency” risks

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics included a section examining “border resiliency” in its annual report.

The analysis evaluates which ports of entry could face the greatest risk of supply chain disruption if traffic increases or operations are interrupted.

Researchers assessed each crossing based on two factors: the port’s share of freight trade and the distance to the nearest alternate crossing that could absorb traffic.

Ports that handle large volumes of trade but lack nearby alternatives were identified as more vulnerable to bottlenecks.

Two Texas ports were classified as high risk — one in Laredo and one in El Paso — while four others were identified as moderate risk, including both in South Texas. 

Pharr among the busiest freight crossings

The Port of Hidalgo, which includes the Pharrr bridge, is one of the nation’s busiest.

According to the federal report, freight moving through the port totaled about $43 billion in trade value, representing roughly 5% of all U.S.–Mexico freight trade.

About two-thirds of that trade consisted of imports, with fresh produce listed as the leading commodity. Pharr handles all produce imports for the port.

The port, as a whole, recorded an average wait time of 38 minutes, with the nearest alternate commercial crossing located roughly 10 miles away, the report indicated.

Those factors contributed to the port being categorized as moderate risk in the federal analysis.

The Pharr bridge, however, is undergoing a major expansion that city officials said could double its capacity.

Read more: Pharr International Bridge expansion nears completion as trade growth accelerates

Brownsville also identified as moderate risk

The Port of Brownsville was also identified as a moderate-risk crossing.

Freight trade moving through the port exceeded $19 billion, with exports making up slightly more than half of total trade value.

The primary commodities moving through the port include coal and automotive parts, according to the report.

The crossings recorded an average wait time of 47 minutes, and the nearest alternate crossing capable of handling similar freight volumes is approximately 55 miles away.

Freight moving through Brownsville represents roughly 2% of total U.S.–Mexico freight trade, according to the federal analysis.

Read more: Cameron County to borrow $33M for bridge purchase, upgrades

Trade growth increases pressure on border infrastructure

The surge in cross-border trade reflects broader changes in North American supply chains.

Manufacturers in sectors such as automotive, electronics and industrial equipment have increasingly expanded production in Mexico in recent years.

Those supply chains depend heavily on trucks to move parts and finished goods between factories, distribution centers and U.S. markets.

Read more: Iran war hits border trucking companies where it hurts most: the fuel tank

As freight volumes continue to grow, federal officials say maintaining reliable operations at major ports of entry will become increasingly important.

If a major crossing experiences delays, closures or operational disruptions, limited alternate routes could make it difficult to quickly redirect freight traffic.

For South Texas ports, the continued expansion of U.S.–Mexico trade means both freight volumes — and the pressure on border infrastructure — are likely to keep rising.