Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

Kokopelli-az

Nov 18, 2009, 10:05 AM

Post #1 of 12 (6284 views)

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Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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Going North, what is the difference between crossing at Laredo International Bridge I and Bridge II ? Almost everything I have seen suggests crossing at Bridge II; however, the live "Border Wait Times" website usually shows Bridge I as having less of a wait.

And any views about taking the Columbia Bridge vs Bridge II (or I) going North? (We would be staying overnight in Laredo and traveling west thereafter.)

Thanks!

Altahabana

Nov 18, 2009, 4:10 PM

Post #2 of 12 (6250 views)

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Re: [Kokopelli-az] Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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I apologize for not responding to your earlier private message. I have sent you a private reply with details. But in general you most definitely should take Bridge II. It is a straight shot to the Bridge once you get off Highway 85 onto the loop road---Luis Coloso---just south of Nuevo Laredo. It requires quite a bit of in-city driving to get to Bridge I. The Columbia Toll Road is now part of the TxTag system and there are no toll booths. Whatever utility it had---which I think is close to none for northbound travelers--is gone unless you want to get (and ignore) a fairly pricey ticket you will get in the mail if you use it without the tag.

Reefhound

Nov 19, 2009, 1:43 PM

Post #3 of 12 (6210 views)

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Re: [Kokopelli-az] Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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I agree, not much benefit in the Columbia bridge going north. It's at least an extra 45 minutes driving plus the cost of gas and tolls. Plus if you're staying overnight in Laredo you'll have to backtrack another 20 miles as the toll road dumps into I-35 around mile 23.

And I've heard the Mexican road from Laredo to Columbia is a speed trap. I haven't had any problems the couple of times I went to Columbia, though.

The wait will be shorter at Columbia but I've seldom waited more than an hour at Laredo. It seems a lot longer when you're stuck in a mile long line of cars, though. You'll also have to deal with the people walking through the traffic begging and selling trinkets.

donemry

Nov 20, 2009, 7:49 AM

Post #4 of 12 (6178 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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It is not necessary to use the toll road to get back to Laredo. You can use FM 1472 to return to downtown Laredo. If you are staying in Laredo on the way south, 1472 works well also to get to the Colombia crossing.

Altahabana

Nov 20, 2009, 12:28 PM

Post #5 of 12 (6153 views)

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Re: [donemry] Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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While it is not necessary to use the toll road to get back to Laredo from Columbia, why would someone heading north to the border from Monterrey want to cross at Columbia and then backtrack to Laredo? That is a long circular route that adds miles to the trip and serves no real purpose that I can see. It is only about a 20 minute direct drive to Bridge II on divided highway from the Highway 2/Highway 85 intersection which is where the detour to Columbia would begin.

Zarcero

Nov 23, 2009, 7:01 AM

Post #6 of 12 (6083 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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I just crossed at the Colombia Bridge last Friday on my motorcycle. I saw no speed traps, nor any cops. More exagerrations from the paparazzi. There were a whole three cars ahead of me at the Colombia Bridge. It was like a two minute wait. There is a Pemex right there before the bridge where you can fill up. The bridge toll was a whole P$25 Wow! Big bucks <eyes-rolling>. I then turned right on FM1472 which took me to I-35 where I turned right again which took me to my hotel La Posada (I highly recommend the hotel). It was 25 miles back to Laredo. Your choice: Wait to cross Bridge 1 or 2 in Nuevo Laredo for unpredictable hours, or keep moving and drive to the Colombia Bridge where it is always only minutes to cross.

I am in the process of writing a ride report on this trip to Parras de la Fuente, you can read about it here http://www.advrider.com/...wthread.php?t=527347

Mike

Altahabana

Nov 23, 2009, 9:11 AM

Post #7 of 12 (6056 views)

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Re: [Zarcero] Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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I live in Nuevo Laredo and cross back and forth on Bridge II daily. Unless you are travelling during the first week of January or around some Mexican and/or US holiday when visiting paisanos are returning to the US from Mexico, the wait at Bridge II is usually 45 minutes or less. During a typical mid-week afternoon the wait is about 15-20 minutes. If you cross in the early morning between 5-6 a.m. the wait is even less. When there are waits of unpredictable hours at Bridge II, you are not going to cross Columbia Bridge in a few minutes, because that will be the only time that Mexicanos will use it. All crossings wherever located will be packed.

It is only about a 20 minute drive from the Highway 2/Highway 85 intersection (ie. the turnoff to Columbia Bridge) to Bridge II. I understand Columbia has a niche following on ex-pat forums, but for those unfamiliar with the area and who want to get across the border as quickly as possible and on the most direct route to their ultimate destination ----whether heading south from San Antonio or north from Monterrey---Bridge II in Nuevo Laredo is the most practical choice.

I am also puzzled by the mention of Bridge I (the old Bridge in downtown Laredo) in connection with travel to the interior. It has been used primarily for local traffic between the two Laredos for at least the past 15 years since Coloso was opened. I don't know anyone who uses it as a crossing point to the interior except during the holiday rush periods.

Zarcero

Nov 23, 2009, 1:00 PM

Post #8 of 12 (6032 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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Crossing back into the US at evening rush hour on I or II, no way Jose! I'll take the Colombia Bridge thank you. However, crossing into Nuevo Laredo, either I or II is fine with me. Early enough in the morning and even Bridge I is fine. It's no biggy to take Guerrero to La Reforma through town and then jump on MEX85D. The loop around from Bridge II is always fine for crossing into Mexico as well. Other nice thing about Colombia Bridge is that canceling the TVIP outbound only takes seconds, plus the cancel-lady is a cutie-pie ;) Que no?

Altahabana

Nov 23, 2009, 3:28 PM

Post #9 of 12 (6017 views)

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Re: [Zarcero] Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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Aside from the holiday rush periods, the only times traffic consistently backs up beyond the toll booths on Bridge II is on some Saturdays and Sundays when people from Nuevo Leon and Coahuila are crossing to shop. When traffic is backed up to the toll booths and beyond on Bridge II all 12-13 CBP stations are open and things run smoothly. It is at most a 45 minute wait from the toll booths.

Traffic is almost never backed up beyond the middle of Bridge II during "rush hour" on week days. On Friday evenings traffic may back up to the toll booths when people are crossing for the weekend. The only time the wait will exceed 2 hours is during the year end holidays and then only on a few selected days.

It is a long drive from Bridge I on Guerrero/Reforma in city traffic through probably 25 traffic signals to reach the junction of the loop road (Coloso) and Hwy 85. It is a 10-15 minute drive from Bridge II to the same junction on divided highway if you use Coloso. If someone decided not to use Bridge II and Coloso, it would be quicker to take a right at Bridge I onto Cesar de Lara and follow it around to where it intersects Reforma out past Sorianos. Again I do not understand why someone would take that route to get to the Monterrey highway, but it avoids most of the traffic signals on Guerrero and Reforma beyond the traffic circle.

I am not trying to change anyone's mind about the route they prefer to take. My comments are meant for persons who are unfamiliar with the various routes and want to know specifics about the options.

(This post was edited by Altahabana on Nov 23, 2009, 3:31 PM)

Reefhound

Nov 23, 2009, 5:41 PM

Post #10 of 12 (6001 views)

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Re: [Zarcero] Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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Zarcero, that you had no trouble with cops doesn't mean the other members here who have reported being pulled over and shaken down are exaggerating. Maybe the rogue cops had the day off when you passed through.

What we are merely saying is to consider both options depending on circumstances. Many will give blanket advice to always use Columbia either way, as if you will save hours and hours. Once in a while NL can be really backed up but typically the wait is not nearly as long as it is made out to be. When you factor the extra driving you often save little or nothing at Columbia. You can cancel your car permit in NL in the same manner, at the casitas just before the toll booths (or the drive thru lane at the main immigration building). Didn't notice if they were cutie pies, though.

Another negative with Columbia is it is not open 24 hours.

Zarcero

Nov 23, 2009, 7:29 PM

Post #11 of 12 (5983 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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Quote

I pass through a lot. I guess the rogue cops are always off in my case. They must say to themselves, "Zarcero is coming, let's take the day off."

My experience is this: Everytime I have talked to a traveler IRL about his alleged shakedown, I find out it's really not a shakedown. At this point I am not willing to believe that the anonymous internet is any different. IRL queries I find that the traveler was indeed speeding, but he doesn't want his plates taken away and doesn't want to have to go to the station because it is "inconvenient" to his itinerary. Well then dude you should not have been speeding. So, the driver then asks if there is another way. The cop then says, "sure pay the multa now." There is a difference between extortion and bribery. Capisce?

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Another negative with Columbia is it is not open 24 hours.

This is true.

robinbolt

Dec 8, 2010, 1:54 AM

Post #12 of 12 (3723 views)

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Re: [Zarcero] Driving North: Laredo Int'l Bridge I and II

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its a nice discussion here and i must say that this is true "Once in a while NL can be really backed up but typically the wait is not nearly as long as it is made out to be"
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