ExecutiveOrdersEO
OtherOtherBiden · D Quiet signal

Other

Authorizing Southwebb Bridge Company LLC To Construct, Maintain, and Operate a Vehicular and Pedestrian Border Crossing Near Laredo, Texas, at the International Boundary Between the United States and Mexico

This October 3, 2024 Presidential Permit authorizes Southwebb Bridge Company LLC to build, maintain, and operate a new vehicular and pedestrian border crossing (Laredo 4/5 International Bridge) near Laredo, Texas, at the U.S.-Mexico border. The permit imposes extensive conditions including environmental mitigation, inspection facility funding, diplomatic notification requirements, and a 5-year construction commencement deadline.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 81289

Impact dates

  1. Construction must commence or permit expires

  2. Relevant agencies must coordinate with permittee to refine conditions

Key directives

  • Construct, maintain, and operate vehicular and pedestrian border crossing per March 15, 2022 Application
  • Obtain all required federal, state, and local permits before construction
  • Implement NEPA mitigation and comply with Clean Water Act section 402 permits
  • Hold harmless and indemnify U.S. for environmental liability
  • Provide inspection facilities and infrastructure at no cost to U.S. per Donation Acceptance Agreements
  • Submit funding plans for CBP staffing, O&M, construction/technology, and DOT commercial vehicle facilities
  • Obtain IBWC concurrence before design activities
  • Do not begin construction until State Department completes diplomatic note exchange with Mexico
  • Notify President of construction start, completion, interruption, or discontinuation
  • No substantial changes without presidential approval

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Permit issuance grants legal authority to proceed
  • Diplomatic note exchange with Mexico must be completed before construction
  • Relevant agencies must coordinate with permittee within 1 year

Near term (90d)

  • Permittee must develop and submit funding plans for CBP staffing, operations/maintenance, construction/outfitting/technology, and DOT commercial vehicle facilities
  • Must obtain International Boundary and Water Commission concurrence

Long term

  • Construction must commence within 5 years or permit expires (October 3, 2029)
  • Ongoing compliance with environmental laws and mitigation measures
  • Potential transfer of custody/control to federal agencies with presidential approval

Risks & tensions

  • Diplomatic note exchange with Mexico is a hard prerequisite with uncertain timeline
  • Permittee bears all costs for federal agency staffing and facilities, creating financial sustainability risk
  • No obligation on CBP or other agencies to provide specific staffing levels, potential service gap
  • Environmental indemnification clause shifts significant liability to private entity
  • 5-year sunset creates pressure if diplomatic or financing delays occur
Other: Authorizing Southwebb Bridge Company LLC To Construct, Maintain, and Operate a Vehicular and Pedestrian Border Crossing Near Laredo, Texas, at the International Boundary Between the United States and Mexico · Executive Orders