Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

Daron

Jul 29, 2010, 8:28 AM

Post #1 of 3 (3408 views)

Shortcut

What time to cross bridge 2 (Laredo) on Saturday, CIITEV closed for cancellations?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hi all,
This is my first post. I'm going to be crossing bridge 2 in Nuevo Laredo from Mexico to the US on Saturday. I'm just curious if anyone could tell me what the peak traffic times are for Saturdays on that bridge. I know that the normal peak traffic times are in vacations and normal traffic hours but I don't know what the bridge is like on Saturdays.

Also, I have to cancel my vehicle permit and I heard that CIITEV is closed from damages from the floods. How and where can I cancel my permit? Should I just avoid Nuevo Laredo and do all this at the Columbia Bridge?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!!
Daron

Altahabana

Jul 29, 2010, 3:36 PM

Post #2 of 3 (3362 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Daron] What time to cross bridge 2 (Laredo) on Saturday, CIITEV closed for cancellations?

Can't Post | Private Reply

On Saturdays it varies at Bridge II. By 9 a.m. it will usually be backed up to the toll booths on the Mexican side. People from Monterrey and Saltillo who are going shopping are arriving and their numbers on any particular weekend vary. By the afternoon the line is usually shorter. In any event it hardly ever takes more than an hour to cross on a typical Saturday. All thirteen stations are open and the lines move quickly. Stay to the left in the lane alongside the center dividing line.

Sometimes vehicle permits can be cancelled at the stations about 50 yards back from the toll booths where the people handing out the store advertisements stand. I don't know where else they are being cancelled now---I will ask this pm when I cross at Aduana and post.

Columbia is an option and statistics will be on your side. It is unlikely you will run into a narco retén (roadblock) or that a balacera will break out between the army and the Zetas when you are on your way there. Both have been frequent but unpublicized occurences since the disturbances began two weeks ago, especially the former. But the wait at Columbia is shorter and the permit station easier to find.

Daron

Jul 31, 2010, 5:36 PM

Post #3 of 3 (3263 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Altahabana] What time to cross bridge 2 (Laredo) on Saturday, CIITEV closed for cancellations?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Thanks for response Altahabana!

I just got through the border and thought I'd post my experience for anyone else wondering about Saturday crossings and cancelations.

We arrived at the line for Bridge 2 at 11:30am which turned out to be too early I think. The line was long.

We cancelled the permit at the Module right before the bridge toll booth. That was easy and fast.

I don't know if the CIITEV offices are open because we didn't even go down there. However, I did see cars coming from there with stickers so maybe it's up and running.

Anyway, the bridge crossing was REALLY long. We finally got through US Customs at 2pm. It ended up being a 2:30 hour wait at the bridge.

I probably should have just gone to the Columbia crossing and I will if I ever have to cross on a Saturday again.

I can't say that I wasn't warned, however, I just happened to get there earlier than I thought I would.

On the other hand, It was a totally safe trip with no threats or bribes or even scares! I hope that things get better for Nuevo Laredo. My heart goes out to the innocent people who have suffered there.