The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently approved a grant worth approximately $7 million to provide needed repairs to the Presidio International Rail Bridge and South Orient Railroad.
U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX), who lobbied TxDOT and local officials for the grant award, said that cross-border trade was the lifeblood of many communities in his district and that the infrastructure improvements would create jobs and facilitate the flow of goods and services throughout the region.
“As one of five rail border crossings between Texas and Mexico, these repairs are vital to Texas’ economy,” Hurd said.
According to Presidio Mayor John Ferguson, the funds will go toward urgently-needed repairs to the rail bridge as well as other repairs for the 72-mile span of the rail line from Presidio to Paisano Junction near Alpine, Texas.
“Once completed, Presidio will once again be able to utilize the South Orient Railroad as an economic development tool for the community, as well as facilitating international commerce at the U.S./Mexico border here,” Ferguson said.
The grant was awarded as part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which provides competitive grants, known as FASTLANE grants, to national and regional highway and freight projects.
“Representative Hurd worked hard on our behalf to support our efforts to be awarded these monies from the USDOT,” Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Tryon Lewis said. “The improvements we make to the rail line and the reconstruction of the rail bridge will assure we can continue to support the industries in Texas that rely on deliveries provided by the South Orient Railroad.”