U.S. General Services Administration
GSA Participates in Ribbon Cutting for Donation Project at Los Tomates LPOE
April 3 marked a jubilant occasion in Brownsville, Texas, as the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Senator John Cornyn, U.S. Representative Vicente Gonzalez, Cameron County, Texas Department of Transportation, and the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) came together to celebrate the near-completion of a public-private partnership project aimed at revolutionizing the Los Tomates Land Port of Entry (LPOE), also known as the Veterans International Bridge.
Thanks to this dynamic collaboration, a host of improvements are set to enhance the flow of traffic and reduce lengthy wait times at this busy border crossing. The journey toward this celebratory moment began in August 2022 when construction broke ground. Now, the $18 million enhancements are nearly ready for operation. Under the Donations Acceptance Program, Cameron County and the CCRMA are set to gift the following improvements, each designed to elevate the port experience to new heights of efficiency and safety:
- Adding four additional non-commercial primary lanes with necessary infrastructure and technology;
- Adding eight additional non-commercial secondary inspection bay spaces with necessary infrastructure and technology;
- Relocating existing secondary bus inspection areas for safer movement and faster traffic flow in the area; and
- A new headhouse building to support operational inspection personnel.
Representing GSA, Public Buildings Service Deputy Regional Commissioner Jared Bradley emphasized his excitement for this particular ribbon-cutting because of the unique Donations Acceptance Program (DAP). He mentioned that projects like this help local communities ensure that land ports of entry provide the maximum economic and societal benefits to the area.
“The DAP allows GSA and CBP to partner with other people and organizations in the community,” added Bradley during his speech. “We’ve engaged in more than 30 donation partnerships totaling about $250 million at Land Ports of Entry like this, it’s a win for everyone involved.”
With the completion of this endeavor, the Los Tomates LPOE stands poised to usher in a new era where efficiency meets innovation.
