Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
At the RGV Connect Transportation and Trade session, Cameron County Administrator Pete Sepulveda said the Rio Grande Valley must accelerate infrastructure development to support economic growth tied to trade, energy and population increases. Speaking at the Rio Grande Valley Partnership forum, Sepulveda outlined ongoing projects and long-term priorities across Cameron County and the region.
Sepulveda, who also serves as executive director of the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, said his work reflects nearly four decades in transportation and border infrastructure. “I’ve been working all along the border… for the last 39 years,” he said, noting his involvement in multiple international bridge projects.
He said Cameron County is currently advancing a “$2 billion system of projects,” many of which are tied to trade corridors, international crossings, and regional connectivity. These efforts, he said, are designed to support emerging industries in the county, including energy, space, and national security sectors. “We understand the importance of bringing proper infrastructure,” Sepulveda said, adding that projects extend beyond county lines because of their regional impact.
Among the key developments, Sepulveda highlighted upgrades at the Veterans International Bridge, where expanded commercial and passenger lanes are improving traffic flow. He also pointed to a $265 million modernization project at the Gateway Bridge led by the General Services Administration. He said the goal of these investments is to reduce wait times and increase crossing efficiency. “The better flow of traffic you have… that’s going to encourage the trade community… to do multiple trips a day,” he said.
Sepulveda also described plans for a new pedestrian bridge at the Gateway crossing to separate pedestrian traffic from vehicular traffic. He said the project is intended to improve safety, particularly for students who cross daily. “We probably have… children… crossing to Brownsville to come to school,” he said, adding that the new crossing would reduce conflicts and speed up processing.
Looking ahead, he discussed additional projects, including the potential acquisition of the B&M rail bridge, which would become a fourth international crossing in Cameron County. He said the bridge would play a role in a larger riverfront redevelopment effort involving Brownsville and Matamoros, aimed at creating commercial and tourism opportunities.
Sepulveda also pointed to future infrastructure, such as the Flor de Mayo bridge and the second causeway project to South Padre Island. He said these projects are being planned with long-term growth in mind, particularly as new industries bring jobs and increased demand for mobility. “We will need the international crossings to be able to keep up with the trade and the travel,” he said.
A central concern raised by Sepulveda was the lack of interstate connectivity in the Rio Grande Valley. He said the region remains “the largest metropolitan area in the United States without an interstate corridor,” which affects the value of goods moving through the area. Citing a study by the Texas Transportation Institute, he said regions with interstate access see significantly higher commodity values. “For decades, the Rio Grande Valley has been economically deprived because of a lack of proper infrastructure,” he said.
He expressed concern that a key connector project tied to Interstate 69 had been placed on hold, calling it critical for linking Hidalgo County to Cameron County and coastal destinations. Sepulveda urged regional leaders to take a more active role if necessary. “Perhaps you get the four counties together and see how the four counties can take on that project,” he said.
Sepulveda said funding remains a major challenge, but he emphasized the importance of planning and leveraging available tools. He described how Cameron County uses local funding mechanisms, such as vehicle registration fees and transportation reinvestment zones, to generate revenue for matching state and federal funds. “Give us the legislative tools… and I know how to develop that infrastructure,” he said.
Throughout his remarks, Sepulveda stressed that regional coordination is essential. He said infrastructure decisions made in one county affect the entire Valley and that unified advocacy is necessary to secure funding and move projects forward.
The RGV Connect forum, launched by the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, aims to bring together leaders from across South Texas to align priorities and strengthen the region’s voice in state and federal discussions.
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