Laredo Bridge Changes Aim to Cut Cargo Delays

Commercial carriers moving freight between the United States and Mexico will receive additional Saturday processing time at Laredo’s World Trade Bridge under a three-month pilot program beginning Sept. 5, 2026. The initiative is intended to reduce delays associated with commercial-vehicle U-turns and improve cargo flow during peak periods.

Saturday hours extended at World Trade Bridge

The extended schedule applies only to the World Trade Bridge, one of Laredo’s primary commercial crossings. The policy is designed to provide more processing flexibility for truck drivers, motor carriers, customs brokers and importers handling cross-border shipments.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is using the pilot to support more efficient commercial-vehicle processing and help reduce congestion at the port of entry. Additional Saturday operating time could also improve supply-chain reliability by giving carriers another window to move freight through the border.

Scope of the pilot

The changes do not apply to all Laredo crossings. The World Trade Bridge and Colombia Solidarity Bridge are both used for commercial traffic, but the extended Saturday operations described in the pilot are limited to the World Trade Bridge.

Actual transit times will continue to depend on broker release, cargo documentation, inspection requirements and bridge operating schedules. Carriers and importers will need to coordinate those factors when planning weekend movements.

Importance to the Laredo freight market

Laredo is a major North American trade hub, with freight moving by truck, rail and air between Mexico and the United States. The city’s location at the southern end of Interstate 35 connects manufacturers in northern Mexico with distribution centers and markets across the United States.

Extended bridge operations could help limit congestion in nearby warehouse, transload and cross-dock areas, including the industrial districts along Mines Road and around Killam Industrial Park. Transloading can add handling steps because freight must be unloaded, staged and reloaded, creating additional opportunities for delays or cargo damage.

Authorities expect the pilot to provide businesses with more flexibility while supporting cargo movement through the Laredo Port of Entry. Results from the three-month program could help inform future scheduling decisions for commercial border operations.