The Juarez-Lincoln Bridge will be closed
LAREDO – On the occasion of the “Abrazo Ceremony” the Juarez-Lincoln crossing in Laredo, Texas will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic on February 19, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“This year, vehicular traffic will be temporarily suspended on the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge to host the Embrace Ceremony, which is an annual effort by the Washington Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA) in the embrace of Mexican and American culture,” said Port of Laredo Director Alberto Flores.
In light of this situation, CBP urged travelers to plan ahead for their departure and cross earlier or in the afternoon to avoid delays in their transfers.
On Saturday, February 19, at approximately 5:00 a.m., CBP will temporarily stop all northbound and southbound vehicular and commercial bus traffic on the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge to allow for the construction of the stage used for the ceremony to be held at the international crossing.
Vehicular traffic is expected to resume as of 09:00 a.m. As an alternative border crossing, the Colombia-Solidaridad Bridge will open at 6 a.m. that Saturday to support the traveling public. The Puerta de las Americas Bridge will remain open for Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) participants and all pedestrian traffic.
The WBCA, along with the International Good Neighbor Council (IGNC) indicated that the children who will participate during the 124th Celebration of Embrace will be Olivia Madison Palumbo and Michael Anthony Villalon from the United States, as well as Valentina Gonzalez de Anda and Joaquin Barragan, representing Mexico, who were selected last August.
“The embrace of our four beautiful children symbolizes the mutual admiration and respect that our two countries and cities have for each other. The powerful gesture of an embrace between officials from both the United States and Mexico embraces our traditions and demonstrates the unity of our sister cities,” said WBCA President Natalie Hernandez.
The symbolic meeting of the two countries that is part of this Laredo Celebration was first established in 1898. It quickly evolved to include a ceremony in which local and military officials from the United States and Mexico would gather to walk arm-in-arm downtown, becoming one of the WBCA’s oldest traditions.
In 1969, the WBCA and IGNC introduced the “Children of the Embrace,” a symbolic event to promote greater awareness and understanding among the peoples of the Americas. The four children meeting in the middle of the bridge and exchanging a heartfelt “abrazo” symbolizes friendship, goodwill, kindness and mutual appreciation between the United States and Mexico.
Overall, WBCA events attract nearly 500,000 residents and visitors, and are estimated to bring in $14 million a year to the local economy.
Source: MEXICONOW Staff