Dive Brief:

• The U.S. Department of State is reviewing an application made by Union Pacific to oversee and use a bypass bridge connecting Brownsville, TX and Matamoros, Tamaulipas.
• At issue is whether transferring the operation and maintenance to Union Pacific is in the best interest of the country. Currently, Cameron County, TX holds the permit.
• The pubic has until late September to make any relevant comments to U.S.-Mexico Border Affairs Office.

Dive Insight:

Brownsville is one of four Texas cities that operates as a railroad crossings between U.S. and Mexico, although as of 2013 the city recorded the lowest amount of rail traffic compared to Laredo, Eagle Pass and El Paso.

The West Rail Bypass International Bridge, inaugurated last August as the first new rail bridge in over a century, promises to increase Brownsville's role in the bilateral trade relationship at a key time of growth for Mexico's automotive, appliance and electronics industries. The two countries have focused on improving border infrastructure as part of the annual bilateral economic talks known as the High Level Economic Dialogue. 

Union Pacific's bid for control of the bridge seeks to take advantage of this increased integration and its own experience operating international rail crossings. The railroad company currently operates another crossing in El Paso, TX. The Department of Transportation estimates nearly 90% of loaded and empty rail containers pass through Texas from Mexico each year.