Pharr Border Inspection Facility to Open March 1, Expanding Port Capacity

Photo of Pharr International Bridge from PHARR EDC

PHARR, Texas - A border safety inspection facility at the Pharr International Bridge that has remained unused since it was built in 2012 is scheduled to open March 1, according to bridge officials.

Luis Bazan, director of the Pharr International Bridge, announced during a recent Bridge Board meeting that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has indicated the facility will soon begin operating.

The opening is expected to increase capacity inside the port’s import lot by approximately 35% to 40%, providing additional space for trucks and shipments requiring federal inspection, Bazan said.

Bridge officials have met with CBP representatives and transportation companies in preparation for the transition, discussing traffic flow and operational logistics.

The inspection facility connects to the Donations Acceptance Program (DAP) 15 project, which added new commercial entry and exit lanes at the bridge to improve traffic circulation and inspection efficiency. While the lanes have been completed for more than a year, full operation of the inspection facility was pending state and federal coordination, Bazan said.

Officials acknowledged that ongoing construction related to the DAP 16 expansion could create temporary challenges as traffic patterns adjust.

“This will be a big relief,” Bazan said, noting that the additional capacity marks the beginning of broader expansion efforts at the port of entry.

The DAP program, administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, allows local entities to fund and accelerate federal inspection infrastructure improvements at ports of entry. The ongoing DAP 16 project includes additional inspection and port enhancements aimed at increasing commercial throughput.

During the meeting, a board member also asked about progress on a cold storage warehouse project associated with the port. Bazan said he expects the facility to be completed by the end of the year, pending confirmation from city engineers.

The Pharr International Bridge is one of the region’s primary commercial crossings, particularly for produce and agricultural shipments, making capacity increases significant for cross-border trade in South Texas.