Anzalduas International Bridge closed for inauguration today

Anzalduas International Bridge closed for inauguration today

Martha L. Hernández
The Monitor
January 09, 2010 12:19 AM

NEAR GRANJENO — The Rio Grande Valley’s newest international bridge will be temporarily closed starting Sunday afternoon in preparation for a grand opening ceremony the following day, according to federal authorities.

The ceremony comes four weeks after the Dec. 15 “soft” opening of the Anzalduas International Bridge, which links Reynosa and Mission.

In preparation for the bridge’s inauguration, the crossing will be closed to northbound and southbound traffic starting at 4 p.m. Sunday. It is slated to re-open at 4 p.m. Monday.

Local authorities tried in vain to secure President Barack Obama’s attendance for the grand opening. Mexican officials, meanwhile, are hosting their own ceremony on the southern side of the span but have yet to confirm whether Mexican President Felipe Calderon will take part in the occasion.

Obama will be represented at the grand opening by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, the only Texan in his Cabinet. A former legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen and former chair of the Texas General Services Commission, Kirk serves as the president's principal adviser, negotiator and spokesman on trade issues.

Also attending the event will be U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Carlos Pascual, U.S. General Services Administration Acting Administrator Stephen Leeds, U.S. Consul General Michael Barkin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Executive Director for Mission Support David Morrell and local authorities of Hidalgo, McAllen and Mission.

Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa is the highest-level Mexican official confirmed to attend.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security...

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