State Allows Hazardous Materials on Laredo World Trade Bridge

The State Department on May 22 amended a presidential permit for Laredo, Texas to allow the Laredo World Trade Bridge to carry certain hazardous materials. The city of Laredo is now required to route all hazardous materials from downtown bridges to the U.S. facilities at Colombia Solidarity Bridge or the Laredo World Trade Bridge. But Department of Transportation Table I materials, including explosives, radioactive materials, poison gas and other toxic compounds are not permitted to be routed through the Laredo World Trade Bridge. The city is also not permitted to transfer hazardous material without both U.S. and Mexican government consent.