Port of Harlingen wants to expand its overweight corridor route

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HARLINGEN, Texas - The Port of Harlingen will try again to expand its overweight corridor route in the 89th Legislature starting in January.

As in the 88th session, the legislation will be carried by state Rep. Janie Lopez, R-San Benito.

The legislation failed to make it into law in 2023, in part because of opposition from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

But, says Port of Harlingen Executive Director Walker Smith, the legislation has merit because it would improve safety on the road.

In an exclusive interview with Ron Whitlock Reports, Smith explained that three entities in the Rio Grande Valley have the authority to issue permits for shippers to use overweight corridors in the Rio Grande Valley - Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority, the Port of Brownsville, and the Port of Harlingen.

He said trucks weighing no more than the Mexican Legal Weight Limit or 125,000 pounds can use an overweight corridor. On a regular corridor they can only carry 80,000 pounds.

“If we're able to connect these corridors, it provides flexibility to the transportation system and dedicates those overweight trucks to these dedicated routes,” Smith said.

“So, we’re going to be looking to extend our overweight corridor from FM 509 to the Hidalgo County-Cameron County line, a 13-mile strip.

“The legislation would essentially designate this route, FM, 509, US Highway 281, to the Hidalgo County and Cameron County lines. And at that point, the Hidalgo County RMA corridor would pick up and carry the cargo into the Pharr Bridge, or vice versa.”
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