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Authorizing the City of Pharr, Texas, To Construct, Connect, Operate, and Maintain Bridge Facilities at the International Boundary Between the United States and Mexico

This presidential permit authorizes the City of Pharr, Texas to construct, connect, operate, and maintain new bridge facilities adjacent to the existing Pharr International Bridge at the U.S.-Mexico border near Reynosa, Mexico. The permit includes standard conditions for inspection access, compliance with applicable laws, national security provisions, and requires the city to provide CBP inspection facilities at no cost to the federal government.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 435

Impact dates

  1. Permit expires if construction not commenced

  2. Written notice of construction commencement

  3. Written notice of construction completion, interruption, or discontinuation

Key directives

  • Grant permission to City of Pharr to construct, connect, operate, and maintain border bridge facilities
  • Permittee must provide CBP and other agencies suitable inspection facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and maintenance at no cost per existing Donation Acceptance Agreements
  • Permittee must hold harmless and indemnify U.S. from liability including environmental contamination
  • Permittee must maintain facilities in good repair and legal compliance
  • Permittee must provide written notice at construction commencement, completion, interruption, or discontinuation
  • Permittee must report any ownership/control transfers or name changes immediately
  • Permittee must file required sworn statements and reports with agencies
  • Permittee must provide information upon request regarding facilities conditions and operations

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Permit takes effect upon issuance (December 31, 2020)
  • City of Pharr authorized to begin construction-related activities

Near term (90d)

  • City must file construction commencement notice with President/designee
  • City must acquire necessary right-of-way grants, easements, and permits

Long term

  • Construction must commence within 15 years or permit expires (December 31, 2035)
  • Ongoing compliance with inspection access, maintenance, and reporting obligations
  • Potential bridge completion and operation

Risks & tensions

  • 15-year construction commencement deadline creates long-dated uncertainty; project could stall
  • Donation Acceptance Agreements referenced but not reproduced in permit—specific obligations unclear without reviewing separate documents
  • Permittee indemnification for environmental contamination is broad and potentially costly for city
  • Unilateral presidential termination/revocation authority creates investment risk for permittee
  • No federal funding commitment; all construction and maintenance costs borne by City of Pharr
Other: Authorizing the City of Pharr, Texas, To Construct, Connect, Operate, and Maintain Bridge Facilities at the International Boundary Between the United States and Mexico · Executive Orders