BOTA closure could cost El Paso US$2.3 billion in economic output
The potential removal of commercial traffic from the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) could have significant long-term economic consequences for the El Paso region, according to an independent economic impact study by the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness at the University of Texas at El Paso.
The study estimates that closing BOTA to commercial traffic between 2028 and 2036 could reduce El Paso County’s economic output by US$2.3 billion, while resulting in 9,529 fewer job-years and US$600.7 million in lost labor income. Government revenues could also decline by an estimated US$213.1 million during the same period.
The impact could extend beyond El Paso. The cessation of commercial operations at BOTA is projected to cause 10.9% of commercial trade to leave the Paso del Norte region, with forgone truck trade potentially reaching US$36.6 billion in 2036 alone. Meanwhile, cross-border wait times and related logistics costs could increase by US$79.1 million annually, or 17.8%, adding pressure on regional businesses and supply chains.
BOTA handled US$12 billion in two-way truck trade in 2025, underscoring its importance to regional commerce. The study warns that shifting commercial traffic to other ports could also accelerate the region’s approach to operational capacity, moving the projected timeline from 2034 to 2031.
In response, the El Paso Chamber is urging local, state, and federal officials to reconsider the proposed closure and evaluate alternatives that address BOTA’s infrastructure and safety needs while preserving commercial operations.
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