Review of Unused Presidential Permit: Laredo, Texas International Railroad Bridge

요약

More than 14 years ago, the Department of State issued to the Union Pacific Railroad/Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, a Presidential permit for an international rail bridge at Laredo, Texas. To date, the permit remains unused. The Department and other Federal agencies are currently evaluating whether to revoke, modify, or retain as written this long-unused permit given the change of circumstances in the project area, development of nearby projects, inaction by the permittee, and apparent lack of interest in pursuing the corresponding projects in Mexico. The review is not a judgment regarding either the need for a new bridge or the merits of Union Pacific Railroad/Missouri Pacific Railroad Company's (UP) plan, but rather represents a recognition that the project for which this permit was issued has gone unimplemented longer than similar projects and, due to the passage of time, may no longer be viable. UP provided a project status update, which is included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.