Fighting back

Soldiers capture gunmen, root out corruption

By MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Published: Monday, June 15, 2009 1:07 AM CDT

NUEVO LAREDO -After three decades, work has begun to enlarge the Mexican Customs facility at the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge, as well as access roads leading to the inspection station.

Mexican Customs is reacting to pressure from the city, as well as the public's disapproval, over delays caused by the inspection system known as SIAVE, which is blamed for a backlog of traffic crossing from the United States between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily due to cargo vehicle inspections.

Motorists are forced to wait up to 90 minutes before finally making it into Mexico.

SIAVE is a system involving barriers and red and green lights that allow a motorist to either proceed into the country or be sent to an inspection lane.

Last week, officials celebrated the traditional banderazo, the waving of a flag indicating the start of demolition of nearby structures to make room for the facility's expansion.

The city acquired the properties for the expansion and turned them over to the federal agency.

Besides Nuevo Laredo Mayor Ramon Garza Barrios, representatives from Mexican Customs and architects from the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico participated in the ceremony.

"We're going to build additional SIAVE lanes to eliminate wait times and modernize the Customs facility," Garza Barrios said.

"We negotiated the purchases of nearby properties then transferred them to the federal government."

He said it was necessary to modernize the Customs facility to more efficiently move cargo vehicles.

Mario Salinas Falcon, director of Public Works, said the project will cover 26,000 square feet and will resolve delays caused by cargo traffic crossing from the United States.

A representative of the Mexican Customs office said the federal government agreed to the upgrade after reviewing cargo traffic data.

"We did not realize the situation caused by SIAVE operations," the representative said.

"We understood its operation would resolve crossing problems, but we have seen the intense traffic problems every afternoon."

The project is planned for two stages, with a total investment of 100 million pesos (about U.S. $7.5 million).

The idea, officials explained, is to allow vehicles speedy entrance into Mexico without the delays caused by inspections.

Salinas Falcon said the city has waited more than 30 years for the project.

"This will give us more space (and) will alleviate long waits," he said.

(Translated by Mark Webber of the Times staff.

To reach Miguel Timoshenkov, call 728-2583 or e-mail timo1@lmtonline.com)

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