Laredo Bridge Extends Empty-Truck Hours in 90-Day Border Pilot

A 90-day extended-hours program for empty commercial vehicles is scheduled to begin September 14 at the Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge near Laredo, Texas. FreightWaves reported the operational change September 6, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's official announcement confirms that the pilot applies only to empty tractors and trailers moving through the commercial crossing.

Current weekday commercial hours run from 8 a.m. to midnight. During the pilot, the bridge will open one hour earlier at 7 a.m. and continue operating until midnight Monday through Friday. CBP and the Nuevo León Border Zone Development Corporation said the added morning window is intended to reduce northbound congestion and improve the flow of empty equipment returning across the border.

The change does not create a new cargo-processing window for loaded trucks, alter immigration or visa requirements, or guarantee shorter waits throughout the day. It is a limited operational test at one port of entry. CBP said agencies will evaluate results during the 90-day period, so carriers should monitor official notices for continuation, modification or expiration after the pilot concludes.

Cross-border fleets can prepare by identifying which empty moves qualify, updating dispatch cutoffs and confirming driver documents before arrival. Drivers should verify lane assignments and real-time port conditions rather than assuming every commercial lane opens at 7 a.m. Carriers can also compare morning queue times, tractor utilization and repositioning costs before and during the test. If the extra hour shifts empty equipment out of peak congestion, it may improve turn times without changing loaded-freight schedules. The measurable result—not the announced timetable alone—will show whether the pilot delivers lasting operational value.