Letter to Mayor Cook
Possibility Of Tolling Crossings at the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA)-Violation of Chamizal Treaty
May 1, 2008 -- Dear Mayor Cook;
Your recent proposal to look into the possibility of tolling crossings at the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) is a clear violation of the Chamizal Treaty. This agreement initially served to show good faith and exemplified the feeling of friendship, cooperation, and stimulated the development of trade between the U.S. and Mexico. Subsequently, the maquila industry and its supporting business grew and prospered in both sister cities.
As you are well aware, when the “free bridge” (BOTA), as it is known by all on both sides or the border, needed structural repairs in the early 90’s, the FTA along with the State of Chihuahua and Cd. Juarez business associations commenced an eight year process to find a solution to finance and replace the existing BOTA. In September of 1993, the IBWC signed Minutes to the Chamizal Treaty, authorizing the replacement of the existing bridge allowing new construction of two bridge spans, one Northbound and one Southbound. The Minutes reaffirmed and specified that the rebuilt bridge were to remain toll free as originally set forth in Articles 9 and 10 of the Chamizal Convention of l965.
Through the efforts initiated by the FTA and supported by the Southwestern Maquila Association, the Cd. Juarez Truckers Association and AMAC, arrangements were negotiated with the IBWC and the U.S. State Department to keep El Paso’s only free bridge open to commercial traffic. An innovative, U.S.-Mexico, public-private sector financial plan was put in place which provided $2,750,000, along with a $4 Million appropriation from Congress and over $7 Million dollars contributed by the Cd. Juarez maquila industry. In addition, the private sector provided an additional $680,000 for twenty-five (25) years Maintenance Fund to the IBWC. The new BOTA was completed in 1997 and the financial impact of maintaining a toll-free bridge is considerable and saves pedestrian, passengers and commercial vehicle traffic well of $20 Million per year.
Today, those deciding to invest in the Juarez/El Paso Metroplex must tenaciously review all costs to determine where to locate and a change in BOTA’s historic toll free status will cause them to rethink locating here or relocating truly off shore. In addition, any additional cost, fee, tax, or “toll” is simply another example of how our local governments keep making it harder for existing industry to justify staying here.
The maquila industry is still in a rebuilding mode after many years of lost business and jobs to China. The industry is experiencing fierce global competition and increased costs from taxes, labor and transportation. Placing another straw on the backs of the maquila industry may indeed break the back of some. Companies will move to areas that are more competitive. Given the current economic conditions and the rising costs of everything imaginable, can we afford to drive industry away from this region?
Your initial statement, published in the El Paso Times April 26, 2008, regarding proposed tolls at BOTA cited the need for infrastructure improvements to help improve traffic congestion to and from the bridge and seemed to imply that this fee would go to pay for these “needed” improvements on both sides of the border. Is there a plan for how the money will be allocated or spent? Who will decide? Who will benefit or what will be gained? Better customer service, more lanes, shorter wait times…or fewer total crossings? What will be the economic impact on both countries?
The maquila industry, and the trade community have put up their money and the bi-national community has benefited. They did so with the assurance that there would always be a no-toll option at BOTA. The city can not be that out of touch with a business sector that contributes so much to the wealth of this region.
The FTA also asks the city to consider the social and economic hardships that would be placed on those that have family on both sides of the border. Many of these are individuals that can least afford to pay especially given to the jumps in food and energy costs…a basic reduction in quality of life.
We must be pro-business and socially conscious in this community. That means making it easier and more efficient, not harder and more costly for all. The FTA is opposed to any plan or proposal which is not toll-free at the Bridge of the Americas.
Sincerely,
Stephanie H. Caviness
FTA President
|
