Valley, Mexico Leaders Gather To Celebrate McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge 100 Years of Binational Connection
McAllen, McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, centennial, Javier Villalobos, Juan Hinojosa, Sergio Coronado, Carlos Peña Ortiz, Juan Olaguibel, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, international trade, binational partnership, Hidalgo, Reynosa
Staff Report
McAllen TX - Community leaders, elected officials, and international dignitaries gathered Friday to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, marking a century of cross-border connection, commerce, and cultural exchange between the United States and Mexico.
The ceremony opened with an invocation from Supervisory U.S. Customs and Border Protection Chaplain Adan Guajardo. Speakers included McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos, Hidalgo Mayor Sergio Coronado, Reynosa Mayor Carlos Peña Ortiz, Texas State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, and City of McAllen Assistant City Manager and Superintendent of Bridges Juan Olaguibel.
Mayor Villalobos framed the bridge as a symbol of both the region’s past and its future.
“The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge has been instrumental in shaping our community’s success for the past 100 years,” Villalobos said. “For a century, it has connected people, businesses, and opportunities while serving as a catalyst for economic growth and regional prosperity. As we celebrate this historic milestone, we also look ahead with a shared commitment to strengthening infrastructure that will ensure this gateway continues to serve our community and support binational collaboration.”
Mayors Coronado and Peña Ortiz emphasized the resilience of binational partnerships, noting the bridge’s importance even during challenging periods including the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Hinojosa recognized the bridge’s role in supporting regional commerce and strengthening connections between South Texas and Mexico, while Olaguibel spoke to its continued function as a vital gateway for transportation, trade, and economic activity.
The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge opened in 1926 and has since served as a port of entry connecting families, supporting businesses, and facilitating the movement of goods across the border.
Source - City of McAllen