Dear john,

Today, I announced $150,000 in federal funding for the design and implementation of a binational air quality measurement system at the Laredo/Nuevo Laredo cross-border region. The funds, provided by North American Development Bank (NADBank), will be used by Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute to monitor air quality along heavy truck routes, including the World Trade Bridge and the Colombia Solidarity Bridge.

The funds will be used to install three air quality monitoring stations to track various pollutants that impact air quality and public health, including ozone, PM2.5 (particulate matter), and nitrogen dioxide. One station will be installed in Nuevo Laredo, and two will be installed in Laredo at the intersections of I-69W and Los Cabos Drive, and Mines Road and I-69W. The stations will also gather environmental data, such as temperature, relative humidity, and dew point.

Laredo has recently seen a massive increase in trade, becoming the nation’s #1 in-land port of entry earlier this year. As more trucks come across the Rio Grande, it’s important that we monitor their impact on our air quality. The air we breathe knows no borders, and it’s our responsibility to work collaboratively with our southern neighbors to ensure that the air we share is clean and safe for generations to come. Thank you to NADBank, TAMIU, and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute for working with me to create a cleaner, healthier future for our binational community.