Jasmin Espinosa BROWNSVILLE – Within a few years, walking across the border may become easier as Cameron County was granted a 10-million-dollar Presidential Permit to build a two-lane pedestrian walkway that will connect downtown Brownsville and Matamoros.
Eddie Treviño, the Cameron County Judge, said the pedestrian bridge is only for individuals who cross to and from Mexico to the Brownsville daily.
“We want it to be basically for the common or the regular people who cross on a regular basis,” Treviño said. “That way they don’t have to take as long a time […] If you have an asylum or related-type issues, that they’ll continue to use the existing pedestrian access.”
On June 24, the Secretary of State approved the proposal for constructing and operating a new pedestrian crossing at the United States and Mexico border.
However, before construction can begin, Cameron County must give a Donation Acceptance Proposal detailing the plan that follows federal laws and regulations according to an Aug. 20 Presidential Memoranda.
Treviño said the new walkway will be paid for by Cameron County and the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority. With this he hopes the renovations to the Gateway International Bridge will begin by the end of the year.
“The funds for the pedestrian bridge are going to be paid for by Cameron County and the [Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority],” he said. “The renovation is being built, is being paid for by the federal government so that’s about it to $230-$240 million project that’s being paid by the federal government.”
Aurea Escalera, a manufacturing engineering freshman, said this bridge may encourage more students from Mexico to study in the United States.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people that want to study in the [United States], but they’re always like, ‘Oh, but the line,’ and ‘Oh, like you have to wake up super early,’” Escalera said. “So hopefully, this will make people want to study in the [United States] more. You know, that opens up a lot of opportunities.”
Treviño stated if Cameron County does not begin construction on the walkway project within five years, the president has the right to revoke or terminate the permit.
