Congressman Gonzalez Urges Mexico for Proper Implementation of Safe Highway Program
Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) sent letters to Mexican Ambassador to the United States Martha Bárcena and Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection Alfonso Durazo urging Mexico to create a timeline for the implementation of the Safe Highway program and asked for an assurance that Highway 40, which is part of the Safe Highway program, and a connection to U.S. – Mexico international bridges, is secured before a vote for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is considered in Congress. The Safe Highway program, which includes Highway 40 from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon to Reynosa, Tamaulipas to McAllen, Texas, is one of six highways that will be part of the pilot program.
“For the United States and Mexico to continue reaping the benefits of North American trade, each country must fulfill its commitments to efficiency, security and rule of law,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Proper implementation of the Safe Highway program will undoubtably allow for the successful implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and encourage more cross-border commerce. I ask that the Mexican government make it a priority to secure Highway 40D all the way to each international bridge connecting Tamaulipas with South Texas.”
In late March, Congressman Gonzalez traveled to Mexico City to meet with Secretary Durazo. During the meeting, Congressman Gonzalez expressed the importance of securing Highway 40—a major artery for cargo and passenger vehicles traveling between Monterrey, Reynosa, and the United States—for both trade and tourism.
Currently, there are no protection guarantees for freight and passenger vehicles leading up to the international bridges that connect the U.S. and Mexico which include: Pharr International Bridge, Anzalduas International Bridge, Veterans International Bridge, Starr Camargo Bridge, Donna Rio Bravo International Bridge, Gateway International Bridge and the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge.
The security and safety of cross-border commerce and travelers from the United States to Mexico remains a top concern for Congressman Gonzalez as he weighs his vote on the USMCA.
Full text of the letters are available below:
August 26, 2019
Her Excellency Martha Bárcena
Ambassador of Mexico to the United States
1911 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Dear Ambassador Bárcena,
As you know, the newly renegotiated NAFTA or United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and Mexico’s recently launched Safe Highway program represent two important steps forward in our bilateral relationship.
For the United States and Mexico to continue reaping the benefits of North American trade, each country must fulfill its commitments to efficiency, security, and rule of law. Proper implementation of the Safe Highway program will undoubtably allow for the successful implementation of the USMCA and encourage more cross-border commerce. By helping to secure merchandise that passes through its territory on a daily basis, Mexico will incentivize companies to further invest and export more merchandise without fear of extortion or theft.
I was particularly excited to see your colleagues in Mexico City honor my request to include Highway 40D, which connects Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, and the border city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, in this critical highway safety pilot program. Because this highway links one of Mexico’s major business hubs with the Rio Grande Valley, it is absolutely essential that this program is implemented with great care and without delay. Given the importance of this road for both cargo and passenger traffic, I also ask that your government make it a priority to secure Highway 40D all the way to each international bridge connecting Tamaulipas with South Texas.
These include: the Pharr International Bridge, Anzalduas International Bridge, Veterans International Bridge, Starr-Camargo International Bridge, Donna Rio-Bravo International Bridge, Gateway International Bridge, and the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge. Unless this protection extends all the way to the bridge itself, freight and passenger vehicles will remain at risk. The guarantee of safe passage and the eradication of disruptive, costly, and harmful criminal activity will benefit both of our economies. In my view, the success of this trade deal is contingent upon the success of this program.
I understand the importance of ratifying the USMCA, however, I am reluctant to support the agreement without a timeline for implementation of the Safe Highway program and an assurance that the roads connecting Highway 40D with our international bridges will be covered by this program. I look forward to working with you to bring security and prosperity to South Texas and Northern Mexico.
Should you have any questions, or wish to meet to discuss this in more detail, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Vicente Gonzalez
Member of Congress
August 26, 2019
The Honorable Alfonso Durazo
Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection
Mexico
Avenida Constituyentes 947, Edificio “B”, Planta Alta,
Colonia Belén de las Flores, Alcaldía Álvaro Obregón,
Código Postal 01110, Ciudad de México
C/O Her Excellency Martha Bárcena
Dear Mr. Secretary Durazo,
It was nice meeting with you in Mexico City in late March to discuss the importance of securing our trade routes between Mexico and the United States. I appreciate your candor and willingness to work with me to ensure the safe transport of passengers and cargo between both countries through the Safe Highways program, which you recently launched as part of an overall effort to bring more security and prosperity to Mexico.
As you know, the newly renegotiated NAFTA or United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and Mexico’s recently launched Safe Highway program represent two important steps forward in our bilateral relationship.
For the United States and Mexico to continue reaping the benefits of North American trade, each country must fulfill its commitments to efficiency, security, and rule of law. Proper implementation of the Safe Highway program will undoubtably allow for the successful implementation of the USMCA and encourage more cross-border commerce. By helping to secure merchandise that passes through its territory on a daily basis, Mexico will incentivize companies to further invest and export more merchandise without fear of extortion or theft.
I sincerely thank you for including Highway 40D, which connects Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, and the border city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, in this critical highway safety pilot program. Because this highway links one of Mexico’s major business hubs with the Rio Grande Valley, it is absolutely essential that this program is implemented with great care and without delay. Given the importance of this road for both cargo and passenger traffic, I also ask that your government make it a priority to secure Highway 40D all the way to each international bridge connecting Tamaulipas with South Texas.
These include: the Pharr International Bridge, Anzalduas International Bridge, Veterans International Bridge, Starr-Camargo International Bridge, Donna Rio-Bravo International Bridge, Gateway International Bridge, and the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge. Unless this protection extends all the way to the bridge itself, freight and passenger vehicles will remain at risk. The guarantee of safe passage and the eradication of disruptive, costly, and harmful criminal activity will benefit both of our economies. In my view, the success of this trade deal is contingent upon the success of this program.
I understand the importance of ratifying the USMCA, however, I am reluctant to support the agreement without a timeline for implementation of the Safe Highway program and an assurance that the roads connecting Highway 40D with our international bridges will be covered by this program. I look forward to working with you and your colleagues in the government of Mexico to bring security and prosperity to South Texas and Northern Mexico.
Should you have any questions, or wish to meet to discuss this in more detail, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Vicente Gonzalez
Member of Congress
 sent letters to Mexican Ambassador to the United States Martha Bárcena and Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection Alfonso Durazo urging Mexico to create a timeline for the implementation of the Safe Highway program and asked for an assurance that Highway 40, which is part of the Safe Highway program, and a connection to U.S.){kind=link}