GSA awards $263 million to modernize Brownsville Gateway port of entry, city leaders say

The U.S. General Services Administration announced more than $263 million in funding to modernize the Brownsville Gateway land port of entry, officials said.

Project plans described in the broadcast call for replacing outdated facilities with new buildings, including a 48,000-square-foot administration building, expanded inspection lanes and a modern outbound inspection area. Officials said the upgrades are intended to improve security, boost trade and create jobs in the region.

The broadcast named an Alabama-based company, which it identified as "Bridal and Gorey LLC," as the lead contractor. Public records and major contractors active on similar projects suggest the likely intended name is Brasfield & Gorrie LLC; the broadcast spelling appears to be an error. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 and is expected to finish by late 2029, according to the report.

Mayor John Cowen Jr. said the redesign will benefit the local economy and retail businesses by reducing wait times and enabling more efficient crossings. Local leaders, including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, were quoted in the broadcast as praising the project.

Officials in the broadcast said the funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act and that the award includes requirements to use American-made materials where feasible. The broadcast cited monthly traffic figures for the port: about 92,000 vehicles and 89,000 pedestrians processed each month.

Officials urged local businesses to prepare to serve increased cross-border traffic and highlighted downtown retail as a likely beneficiary. The broadcast did not provide a detailed project budget breakdown, procurement schedule or the county-level contract award documents; those items will be available through GSA and Cameron County procurement records, officials said.