What changed
U.S. Customs and Border Protection began a 90-day program on September 14 that moves the weekday opening time for tractors and empty trailers at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge from 8 a.m. to 7 a.m. Processing continues until midnight Monday through Friday.
CBP says the Port of Laredo coordinated the program with Nuevo Leon's Border Zone Development Corporation. The agency said the earlier start is intended to reduce morning northbound congestion and improve processing for the transportation community.
Which moves qualify
The extra hour applies only to tractors and empty trailers traveling northbound from Colombia, Nuevo Leon, toward Laredo. It does not extend to commercial conveyances transporting merchandise, including informal entries.
Drivers should not treat the program as a change to cargo admission, operating authority, B-1 visa rules or U.S. cabotage limits. Those requirements remain separate from the bridge's processing hours.
What drivers and dispatchers should do
Carriers repositioning empty equipment can plan for the 7 a.m. weekday opening during the temporary program. Dispatchers should distinguish an empty move from a loaded commercial crossing before routing a driver to the earlier window.
Because the program is temporary and operating conditions can change, drivers should confirm current port information before departure rather than relying on this article as a live wait-time or lane-status report.
Primary sources and supporting records
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: CBP announces 90-day extended hours program for empty trailers at Colombia Solidarity BridgePrimary official operating-hours announcement • Published 2026-09-02 • Checked September 14, 2026 at 7:10 AM
- FreightWaves: Borderlands Mexico: Trucker protest raises stakes in Mexico-US B-1 visa disputeReputable independent cross-border trucking confirmation • Published 2026-09-06 • Checked September 14, 2026 at 7:10 AM
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