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Laredo: At the Crossroads of International Trade
| Laredo, Texas is one of the fastest growing cities in
the country. International trade is the main reason for this record
growth. Its historic location along the banks of the Rio Grande River
has made it a trade route between the U.S. and Mexico for centuries.
In recent years, with the passage of both the General Agreement on Tariffs
and Trade (GATT) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Laredo's
position has been solidified as the center of primary trade between Mexico,
U.S., and Canada, and has achieved the distinction of being the largest
inland port in North America and the fourth largest port in the United
States. In fact, more than 40 percent of all goods that cross between
the U.S. and Mexico cross at the Port of Laredo. The Port of Laredo
consists of four international road bridges and one rail bridge.
Two of the road bridges handle non-commercial traffic only, one handles
commercial traffic only, and one allows both types of traffic. Freight
rail service in Laredo is provided by two major carriers: the Union
Pacific Railway and the Texas-Mexican Railway Company. The Union
Pacific rail lines run north along IH35 and reach a substantial portion
of the country. The Union Pacific rail yard in north Laredo transfers
or loads 150 containers of freight each day to keep those tracks full of
activity. Truck shipments compete for their share of the freight
flowing between the countries. It is estimated that on an average
weekday afternoon in Laredo, there are 12,000 trucks using the local roadway
infrastructure at any given time. These local roadways include some
major freeways that criss-cross the country: US83, US59, SH359, FM1472,
Loop 20, and IH35. In fact, Laredo is the starting point for IH35,
a major highway that cuts through the center of the U.S. and continues
to Canada. In San Antonio, 150 miles north of Laredo, IH35 intersects
IH10, which runs from California to Florida.
Strategic location on the U.S.-Mexico border, five current
international bridges connecting the two countries, and direct access to
major U.S. highways and railways truly position Laredo at the crossroads
of international trade. The Hachar Ranch is located in North Laredo,
along IH35, and across the highway from the Union Pacific rail yard.
The ranch runs West until it intersects FM1472 (Mines Road), which directly
connects two of the international bridges. This location makes it
ideal for development, and the immense size provides a multitude of possibilities
for Commercial, Industrial, Retail, and Residential tracts.
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| For More Information, Please Contact:
Falcon International Bank Trust Department
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