Logistics

In the McAllen, Texas and Reynosa, Mexico region has been recognized by its strategic location for logistics over the years. In 2010, Expansion Solutions recognized McAllen as a Top Location for Logistics.

Railroad

McAllen sites also have rail accessibility and are located only 65 miles from a seaport.

South Texas Regional Multi-Modal Center using a new type of rail service out of McAllen, Texas. This service promises to have national significance in improving the cost competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, reduce wear and tear on Texas and U.S. highways, lower product distribution costs, reduce congestion and improve safety on America's highways. This new rail project will be operated by Triple Crown Services and utilize RoadRailer technology for fast, secure, and cost efficient short-haul truck and long-haul rail movement. Currently, Triple Crown Services has more than 13 terminals, 550 drivers, and over 5,600 RoadRailer trailers serve the eastern United States and Canada. The McAllen facility is the first of its kind south of Dallas, Texas. Triple Crown contractors will pick up loaded trailers from shippers and take them to a train assembly terminal in the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone without having to transfer goods from container to container. Trailers that are used on regular hauling trucks ride on rail bogies, minimizing the risk of cargo damage due to shifting freight.

Highways

McAllen is served by US Expressway 83, a 6 lane divided highway and US 281, a 4 lane divided roadway, which is a designated I-69 corridor. U.S. Hwy 281 and 83 connect McAllen with I-37 and I-35 running North and South. The I-69 corridor, extending from Mexico City to Canada, will run through McAllen and connect with other Interstate Highways throughout the U.S.

McAllen is working with its partner communities on Highway 281 to immediately make it an operationally equivalent to an interstate highway that is to remove the constrains that prevent a trucker from setting his speed control at 70 mph and never having to slow down or stop until they chose to. Highway 281 is already designated as a leg of the I-69 corridor. However, because of the well-known budget issues rather than wait on getting an interstate shield on the road, we want to improve it operationally to provide a speedy option for trucks. View NAFTA Corridors Map

International Ports of Entry

Along the McAllen Texas / Reynosa Mexico border, there are 4 international bridges that connect the United States and Mexico.

• McAllen Hidalgo International Bridge
• Anzalduas International Bridge
• Pharr International Bridge (Commercial Cargo)
• Donna International Brige

Mexico Logistics

Manufacturing companies have been historically using the U.S. water ports to import materials from other continents. New trends have emerged with companies manufacturing in Mexico or along the U.S. / Mexico border where they have started using the Mexican ports of Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas and Altamira to save time and money. Utilizing these ports, shipments are moved by truck or rail to a new dry port in Reynosa, Mexico or distribution warehouses in the greater McAllen area. From here they are shipped to points across North America. With the increased emphasis on logistics cost and speed to market, it is easy to see the benefits of being able to ship all global production to customers from a single North American location. This virtually eliminates the need for restaging or partial shipments to meet customer demands. Shipping through this new corridor is faster, cheaper and easier. Just another instance of bridging the Americas (and now the World) for international trade.

McAllen Foreign Trade Zone

The McAllen Foreign Trade Zone is a not-for-profit corporation. The McAllen Foreign Trade Zone (MFTZ) was the first non-seaport foreign trade zone in the United States. As a corporation, the MFTZ consists of its Board of Directors and its Officers. The Board of Directors is made up of leading business leaders such as manufacturers, bankers, attorneys, business executives, owners of small businesses and city officials who oversee the activities of the MFTZ. The Officers are Senior Staff Members responsible for the day- to-day operations of the MFTZ. A foreign-trade zone is a "free port" that is regulated by U.S. Customs. Raw materials and/or finished goods may be brought into the Zone from another country duty-free and then may be stored, assembled, repackaged, graded, manufactured, or re-exported without payment of U.S. Customs duties. Learn more about McAllen FTZ...