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TSR, look what I found... (there's a lot at this site as well: 35 Meeting of the Mexico-U.S. Binational Group on

International Bridges and Border Crossings 10 May 2005

http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/index.php?option=news&task=viewarticle&sid=134

Press Release 73

Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico

May 5, 2005

THE MEXICO-UNITED STATES BINATIONAL GROUP ON BRIDGES AND BORDER CROSSINGS MET FROM MAY 2ND-4TH FOR THE 35TH TIME IN REYNOSA, TAMAULIPAS

The 35th meeting of the Mexico-United States Binational Group on Bridges and Border Crossings was held in Reynosa, Tamaulipas from May 2nd-4th. Representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Treasury, Communications and Transportation, Public Administration and Migration from both countries attended, as did local authorities in charge of the crossing points and groups of businessmen from Mexico and the United States who are interested in participating in the development and modernization of the border between the two countries.

The governor of Tamaulipas, Eugenio Hernández Flores, and the mayor of Reynosa, Francisco Javier Cabeza de Vaca, inaugurated the meeting. The working sessions were chaired by Juan Bosco Martí Ascencio, the Foreign Ministry’s General Director for North America, and by Mr. John Ritchie, the U.S. State Department’s Border Coordinator.

The Bridges and Border Crossings Group was created in 1983. Since 1989, it has convened as part of the Mexico-United States Binational Commission which brings together most of the cabinet of both countries, with each country hosting the meeting in alternate years.

In Reynosa, and based on the 22 commitments agreed to by Presidents Vicente Fox and George Bush and contained in the Border Partnership Action Plan (Monterrey, March 2002) and in conformity with the mandate of the Foreign Ministers of each country as established during the 20th Mexico-United States Binational Commission held in November 2004 in Mexico City, the Mexican government renewed its commitment to giving impetus to developing the border and to addressing the needs of its communities.

The commitments adopted by officials from both countries include the following:

Leveling the asphalt on the Mexican side of the Reynosa-Pharr International Bridge. Public bidding for this project will be opened on May 25, 2005.

Beginning technical consultations to put in place priority projects to modernize the existing infrastructure of the bridges and crossing points, in order to facilitate and guarantee the safety of bilateral trade and the flow of individuals, and to make businesses more competitive and to improve the quality of life on the border.

To consider and make a technical evaluation of the proposals presented by representatives of local authorities and business groups that promote comprehensive projects to improve, broaden or open ports of entry.

Lastly and in contrast to the group’s previous meetings, the delegations visited the Reynosa-Pharr and Díaz Ordaz-Los Ebanos entry points in order to verify the state of both international crossing points.