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Connie

May 6, 2010, 5:51 PM

Post #1 of 18 (7175 views)

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PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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We're headed back to the mid-west next week and plan to go PV to Guadalajara to Monterey to Laredo/Columbia Bridge to cross back in to the US.

It's been a month or so since the last post on activity on the roads headed in that direction and so we'd appreciate any info, recommendations or cautions that may be helpful as we plan our travels.

Much Thanks!

Connie

Altahabana

May 7, 2010, 5:33 AM

Post #2 of 18 (7141 views)

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Re: [Connie] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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The military campaign against the Zetas, which is what sparked most of the violence that began in late February, has apparently been successful. Over the past two weeks I have not seen any reports of incidents on the roads leading to the South Texas border crossings. Most of the incidents in any event occurred between Monterrey and Reynosa or on the roads leading to crossings south of Nuevo Laredo.

For what it's worth, the lines at Bridge II in Nuevo Laredo are not long at all unless you plan to cross between 7-10 am on a weekday or on Saturday/Sunday mornings when shoppers from Monterrey/Saltillo are heading for the border. Even at those times the wait is usually less than 40 minutes. Unless a driver plans to take the toll road to IH 35 toll-free (and accept the ticket in the mail that will come for a vehicle without the required TxTag) crossing at Columbia bridge involves a considerable detour on both the Mexican and US side.

(This post was edited by Altahabana on May 7, 2010, 5:35 AM)

captdbg

May 7, 2010, 7:00 AM

Post #3 of 18 (7120 views)

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Re: [Connie] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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We did that trip from Columbia Bridge to PV on April 29 took hwy 54 from Saltillo to Guadalajara Smooth trip NO problems except Transito outside Columbia Bridge looking for some lunch money But that's normal been going on for years.We went from PV to Columbia Bridge on March 23 and that was smooth trip too.We think the extra miles are worth not having to hassle with Laredo traffic.Have a good road trip.
Danny

Altahabana

May 7, 2010, 7:56 AM

Post #4 of 18 (7101 views)

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Re: [captdbg] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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The truck traffic on the detour from Hwy 85 to the Columbia crossing in Mexico and similar truck traffic on FM 1472 in Texas which a driver has to take on the detour to get back to IH 35 are much worse than Laredo traffic, although I am not sure what "Laredo traffic" means. I am guessing it refers to waiting in line to cross at Bridge II because traffic on Blvd. Coloso leading to the bridge and from the bridge on the Laredo side on IH 35 is not bad at all.

As someone who crosses daily, the delay at Bridge II that is so often described on this forum is greatly exaggerated, assuming a driver is not crossing at one of the times I indicated in my earlier post or at the time of a special holiday/event. Maybe the vehicle permit cancellation and immigration out processing at Bridge II takes a bit longer than at Columbia, but choosing to cross at Columbia instead of Bridge II because it may be a little quicker to physically move across the bridge should not be a factor. Traffic at the three bridges in the Laredo/Nuevo Laredo area open for non-commercial vehicles moves in a consistent pattern. When traffic is backed up at Bridge II it will be backed up at all the bridges. When one is able to breeze across at Columbia chances are the wait at Bridge II will be minimal (< 15 minutes).

I am just offering observations as someone who drives Hwy. 2 (Mexico) and FM 1472 (Texas) frequently and who crosses Bridge II daily. I am not trying to persuade someone to change the route they are taking. It is intended for people who do not cross frequently and who are either looking for the "best route" or take Columbia primarily because everybody else they know crosses there.

(This post was edited by Altahabana on May 7, 2010, 9:22 AM)

Reefhound

May 7, 2010, 8:22 AM

Post #5 of 18 (7091 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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I agree. Having crossed both bridges (not nearly as frequently) my experience is the same. Bridge II can be ridiculously backed up on occasion but the vast majority of times it is not. Certainly not enough to justify another 30 to 45 minutes of driving. Crossing *into* Mexico is a no-brainer as there is almost never a long line in that direction.

I don't see where the vehicle permit cancellation takes any longer at all. There is a drive thru kiosk both on Colosio just before the bridge toll and at the main immigration building.

The cops looking for lunch money is another reason to not use Columbia. It's another stressful hassle being pulled over and shaken down that is less likely to happen if you are taking Colosio to Mx85 in Nvo Laredo.

Connie

May 7, 2010, 4:34 PM

Post #6 of 18 (7040 views)

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Re: [Connie] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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Thanks for all the replies. If we do go to Bridge 11 - where do we get our FM3 stamped?

Altahabana

May 8, 2010, 3:22 AM

Post #7 of 18 (7010 views)

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Re: [Connie] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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The Immigration office is in the long building which is located on the riverbank on Cesar de Lara between the old downtown bridge and Bridge II. It is simple enough to find

1. As you near Laredo you just continue straight on Hwy 85 rather than exit onto Hwy 2 to Piedras Negras which eventually gets you to Columbia. The exit for Luis Donaldo Coloso---the Loop road----is about 5-6 miles ahead.

2. You will see exit signs for Coloso and Bridge II. You will exit onto the access road just past the Mitsubishi dealership. You will take a right onto Coloso.

3. Coloso is a divided highway without traffic lights until you get near Bridge II. There are km signs to the right. When you get to KM 10 you will see a large overhead sign indicating Bridge II and Cesar de Lara. Get in the far right lane and exit off onto Lara which is like an access road to Coloso until you get to the first traffic light.

4. Continue straight on Lara at the light. As you curve to the left you will see Bridge II ahead. Just after you pass under the Bridge you will come to the CIITEV station, You will turn left into the large parking lot. If you do not need to turn in a vehicle permit you enter the building through the large double doors. Immigration is to the right and is clearly marked. If you need to turn in a permit there are booths in the parking lot to the left as you leave the building. An attendant can point them out.

5. You will exit the parking lot and turn right back on Lara and simply retrace your route till you get to the light on Coloso. You simply make a U-turn to the right back onto Coloso when the light goes green. You just continue straight on Coloso through one light and you will be at the toll booths. If there is a line try to get into the far left lane or the lane alongside it.

NOTE: The permit turn-in stations that Reefhound mentioned that are on Coloso just before the toll booths are only open during peak traffic times.

Reefhound

May 8, 2010, 5:03 AM

Post #8 of 18 (7005 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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And I wouldn't rely on the permit stations on Coloso. If they are not open or not functioning, you're stuck with crossing into the USA then crossing back.

The directions to the immigration building sound confusing at first which is maybe why so many avoid that crossing but it's easy once you have done it.

Connie

May 8, 2010, 7:31 AM

Post #9 of 18 (6983 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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Thanks again for your help! Having a helping hand makes our trip so much easier!!!

Muchas Gracias!!!

careyeroslib

May 8, 2010, 1:56 PM

Post #10 of 18 (6946 views)

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Re: [Connie] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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Just to add my vote against using the Columbia crossing. We were shaken down last April (2009) on the route to Columbia (It was on a Sunday morning) and, as a result of that experience, we won't be using Columbia again.

Connie

May 8, 2010, 2:00 PM

Post #11 of 18 (6943 views)

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Re: [careyeroslib] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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Carey, could you please elaborate on what you mean by "shaken down"?

Altahabana

May 9, 2010, 4:24 AM

Post #12 of 18 (6915 views)

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Re: [Connie] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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I have not heard about shake downs on the roads leading to Columbia----but I had also never heard about gringo shakedowns on the Libre. around Monclova/Frontera either and I drive in that city a couple of days a month. In both instances it sounds like local cops have figured out that gringos in transit are using these routes so they stopping them for real or invented traffic offenses and extracting mordidas/bribes.

careyeroslib

May 9, 2010, 5:04 AM

Post #13 of 18 (6909 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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I apologize Connie and Alta and all for my looseness of speech. By "shakedown" I didn't mean anything more than being asked for a mordida. Sorry for the confusion.

Here's a thread I put on the All Vallarta Forum last year, explaining what happened and the exact location (google earth) just for completeness.

http://todopuertovallarta.yuku.com/...ARE.html#reply-53009

Connie

May 9, 2010, 6:36 AM

Post #14 of 18 (6894 views)

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Re: [careyeroslib] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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Thanks for clarifying! All good info to have!

tacito

May 13, 2010, 5:13 PM

Post #15 of 18 (6794 views)

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Re: [Connie] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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Connie, I make many trips through the Nuevon Laredo Bridge #2 and have my FM3 stamped at the little office just to the left just before you cross the bridge to Laredo. It is marked Migration. There is no official parking place, but if you just stop the car, put on the flashers, get out and wave your FM3 at the soldier, and tell them you need only a stamp, they should let you across to the office.The Migration officials are set up to stamp it, no prolbem. I used to park about a block before the bridge and walk to the Migration office, but now they done some work on new traffic lanes and do not allow people on foot in the area for security reasons. It is THEIR security. They dont care if you have to walk a few blocks where there are no soldiers to get your stamp. If you know how to get the the long building described to you, go for it. They stamp the FM3 too. The last time I was in Laredo, we had to hire a guide to take us to the office where you get a vehicle registration permit. Had no idea how to get there...No official could describe how to get there beyone pointing.. So it goes.
Taco

Connie

May 13, 2010, 5:51 PM

Post #16 of 18 (6786 views)

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Re: [Connie] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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We took the advice and gave Bridge 11 a try. Thanks very much for the helpful instructions. We had no nproblems and no wait getting our FM3 stamped and about a 25 min. wait turning in the car permit. Also hit the far left lane that feeds to 3 booths at the border crossing. Though it was the fastest moving lane we had about 45 min wait in that line inching toward the front of the line.

With all due respect, we've had much better luck at Columbia with virtually no wait at either car permit booth or border crossing. Though its 40 min or so out of the way - and so only about a 30 min improvement in time, I think I'd prefer spending my time moving than sitting still in a line.

I realize it's probably a crap shoot but we're 2 and 0 with no waits at Columbia and 0 and 1 with considerable waits at Bridge 11...

Connie

Altahabana

May 14, 2010, 6:00 AM

Post #17 of 18 (6750 views)

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Re: [Connie] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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It is all about timing. The wait depends on the day of the week and the time when you cross. If it took 45 minutes to cross the bridge the traffic would be backed up behind the toll booths. Outside of Saturday and Sunday mornings, a holiday or 7-10 am morning rush hour, that is not the norm. Neither is a 25 minute wait to turn in the car permit. But as I said I was merely offering a different point of view on crossing in the Laredo area.

Columbia is less crowded because it is out of the way and most Mexican nationals/border residents (who are the vast majority of people crossing) are not going to drive extra miles to avoid waiting in a line.

careyeroslib

May 14, 2010, 1:19 PM

Post #18 of 18 (6699 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] PV to Laredo/Columbia Bridge

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I really appreciated the feedback too Connie. I'm actually pleased to learn that the wait time at an abnormally busy time wasn't too bad. For many reasons (beyond the scope of this thread), we now prefer busier, more urban crossings when exiting Mexico, so it's nice to know Bridge II in Laredo is a viable option. Thanks again.