Texas Mexican Railway International Bridge

The Texas Mexican Railway International Bridge is an international railway bridge across the Rio Grande and U.S.-Mexico border between Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, the only rail link between these cities. Owned and operated by Texas Mexican Railway (KCS) and Kansas City Southern de México, the single-track bridge is the busiest rail border crossing in North America.[1] It is also known as the Laredo International Railway Bridge and Puente Negro (The Black Bridge).

Texas Mexican Railway International Bridge
Coordinates27.498550°N 99.516336°W / 27.498550; -99.516336
CarriesTrains
CrossesRio Grande
LocaleLaredo, Texas –
Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas
Official nameTexas Mexican Railway International Bridge
Other name(s)Laredo International Railway Bridge
Maintained byKansas City Southern Railway
Kansas City Southern de México
Characteristics
DesignTruss Bridge
Total length1275 ft (389 m)
Width18 ft (5.5 m)
History
Opened1920
Location

History

On January 1, 2005, Kansas City Southern (KCS) took control of The Texas Mexican Railway Company and the U.S. portion of the International Bridge in Laredo, Texas. The railroad is a vital link in KCS's rail network, connecting The KCS and TFM, S.A. de C.V.

Location

On the U.S. side the Bridge is located in the western termini of the Texas-Mexican Railway in Laredo, Texas. In Mexico it is located in the northern termini of the Kansas City Southern Railway in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas.

Future

When the Laredo International Railway Bridge 2 is completed the Texas-Mexican Railway International Bridge will be converted to either a northbound express lane for trailers and buses, or a railroad track for passenger trains.[2]

Aerial View
The full length of the Texas-Mexican Railway International Bridge.

Ground View
  • View of the Tex-Mex Rail Bridge from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas
  • View of the Tex-Mex Rail Bridge from Laredo, Texas

References
  1. Stephens, Bill. "Canadian Pacific, Kansas City Southern merger to redraw Class I railroad map". Trains Magazine. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  2. Laredo Morning Times Article; "Railroad wants Presidential OK Archived 2011-06-08 at the Wayback Machine


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