Story Created:
Aug 30, 2012 at 4:47 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Apr 1, 2013
It's been a common complaint of truck drivers bringing fresh produce and flowers across the border -- the lack of refrigeration facilities at Laredo’s international bridges.
But that problem has now been solved and local officials say the new facilities will help keep Laredo ahead.
Hundreds of truckers arriving at international bridges each day were used to seeing their produce and flowers inspected like this.
Out in the open in the hot Laredo weather threatening the freshness of the product.
“We can understand that they have concerns because that product sells. Normally it sells the day it arrives or the next day.”
But with $1.9 Million tossed in by the city of Laredo there are now two refrigerated inspection sites like this one for trucks coming in at the Columbia Solidarity and World Trade bridges.
“Where the product will remain at or nearly at the same temperature that it arrived from the truck.”
The new facilities will play a role in encouraging more trade coming through Laredo benefiting our sister city.
“Can go to Nuevo Laredo and then have a very good inspection without loosing the specific climate that they need.”
“Our bread and butter is international trade.”
Whether for fruit or flowers customs officials say this storage facility was very much needed and they say its putting Laredo ahead of the game.
At least in Texas.
“Other cities that have done this for a long time are all out of the state of Texas.”
One billion dollars in trade come from Mexico to the U.S. Each day.
60 percent through Laredo’s port.
Olivares says the city was glad to pitch in the almost $2 million to better secure it's title of largest inland port.
“Very much ahead and we want to make sure that we stay ahead.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the refrigerated facilities were always needed but budget cuts kept the problem on hold.
They say they're glad for the help from the City of Laredo.
