McAllen and Hidalgo leaders marked a century of cross-border connection this week as the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge reached its 100th anniversary.
The centennial ceremony, held Friday, July 10, recognized the bridge as one of the Rio Grande Valley’s key international gateways and a long-running link between South Texas and Mexico. Since opening in 1926, the bridge has supported family travel, commercial movement, tourism and cultural exchange between communities on both sides of the border.
The program included community leaders, elected officials and international dignitaries. Supervisory U.S. Customs and Border Protection Chaplain Adan Guajardo opened the ceremony with an invocation.
McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos described the bridge as a cornerstone of the region’s development, while Hidalgo Mayor Sergio Coronado and Reynosa Mayor Carlos Pena Ortiz emphasized the importance of continued cooperation among border cities. State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa also recognized the bridge’s role in regional commerce and binational ties.
McAllen Assistant City Manager and Superintendent of Bridges Juan Olaguibel also spoke about the bridge’s continued role in transportation, trade and economic activity for the region.
Source: KRGV.
