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Government officials hold ribbon cutting to announce Convent Avenue Port of Entry completion

Modernization project provides new lanes and improved efficiency

LAREDO, Texas —  Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Congressman Henry Cuellar, U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the City of Laredo and the City of Nuevo Laredo joined for a ribbon cutting event to announce the completion of the Convent Avenue Port of Entry (POE) expansion and modernization project. The improvements to the POE will support CBP in fulfilling its mission to safeguard America’s borders while also improving the experience for those who use the port.

The Convent Avenue POE opened in 1943. Today it is the only pedestrian crossing between downtown Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulípas in Mexico. In 2017, it was the sixth busiest pedestrian port in the nation. The new improvements are expected to improve efficiency of port operations and reduce vehicular and pedestrian wait times.  

POE improvements include:

  • reconfigured and expanded non-commercial vehicular and pedestrian processing areas for increased operational efficiency.

  • increased number of pedestrian processing lanes from eight to 14.

  • reconfigured and modernized administration building.

  • separation of automobile, pedestrian and bicycle traffic for optimal safety.

  • reconfigured automobile secondary inspection areas.

  • creation of a dedicated bicycle lane to alleviate automobile congestion.

“GSA’s mission is to deliver value and savings to government and the American taxpayer,” said GSA Regional Administrator Bobby Babcock. “Through the partnerships we’ve developed with our agency partners and local stakeholders, the modernized Convent Avenue Port of Entry will be a 21st century facility that will benefit the Customs and Border Protection, the local economy and the community of users who pass through it every day.”

“Laredo is strategically located between two great powerhouses for commerce. I am pleased to see the completion of this project, as well as the current improvements that are already underway at the Juárez-Lincoln International Bridge, that represents an enormous $100 million federal investment in our community,” Congressman Cuellar said. “These international bridges provide a vital service to our area by increasing commerce and tourism and connecting families across the border. By enhancing traveler experience, shortening wait times and increasing both efficiency and security at our ports, we are investing heavily in a more modern and business-friendly Laredo that will aid us tremendously in our future growth. Families, travelers and businesses will be able to soon reap the benefits of these newly-improved layouts with state-of-the-art technology.”

“CBP is excited and delighted that vehicular traffic will be returning to Gateway to the Americas Bridge and the expanded capacity will help us greatly to expedite the processing of significant volumes of pedestrian traffic that we experience in Laredo while upholding our border security mission,” said Director, Field Operations David P. Higgerson, Laredo Field Office.

The Convent Avenue POE will re-open to pedestrian traffic on Wednesday, April 25 at 6:00 a.m. Lanes for vehicular traffic will re-open on Sunday, April 29 at 12:01 a.m.

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Last updated: Mar 8, 2023
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