LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations, Laredo Port of Entry officials would like to advise the traveling public that all vehicular traffic at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge will be temporarily halted the morning of Feb. 23 in order to host the International Bridge Ceremony (also known as the Abrazo Ceremony) and to adjust travel plans accordingly or use alternate bridges during the affected period.
![CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan poses with Mexico's Ministerio de Economía Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, both honored as Señores Internacional in 2018 after exchanging flags and abrazos at the International Bridge Ceremony](/sites/default/files/styles/webp_original_size/public/u412/C1wIGVwithflagsAbrazoa.jpg.webp?itok=U4OPhUyd)
with Mexico's Ministerio de Economía Ildefonso
Guajardo Villarreal, both of them recognized as
Señores Internacional in 2018, after they
exchanged flags and abrazos at the International
Bridge Ceremony held at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge
in Laredo, Texas in 2018.
“Each year vehicular traffic is temporarily suspended at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge for a few hours in order to host the Abrazo Ceremony,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “We strongly urge the traveling public to plan ahead, cross earlier or later and also to advise that Gateway to the Americas Bridge will remain open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic during that period to avoid unnecessary delays.”
Southbound and northbound traffic at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge will begin to shut down starting at 5 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 in order to allow for the construction of the stage for the International Bridge Ceremony. It is anticipated that traffic will resume at the conclusion of the International Bridge ceremony at approximately 9 a.m.
The traveling public may consider planning their travel earlier or later or consider utilizing Gateway to the Americas Bridge for pedestrian and vehicular traffic or Colombia-Solidarity Bridge for vehicular traffic during that period.