La Linda International Bridge
Encyclopedia
La Linda International Bridge is an international bridge that crosses the Rio Grande (Río Bravo del Norte)
on the United States–Mexico border
in the Big Bend region of Texas
. It is the southern terminus of Ranch to Market Road 2627
in Heath Canyon and connects Brewster County
with the village of La Linda in Acuña Municipality, Coahuila
. The bridge is also known as the Gerstaker Bridge and the Hallie Stillwell Memorial Bridge. The one lane international bridge was constructed in 1964 by Dow Chemical to transport fluorspar from mines in Coahuila
into the United States
. The unmonitored international bridge was shut down in 1997 by United States
/ Mexican
authorities because of suspected smuggling. Other reports add that a Mexican customs inspector was killed at the bridge, which resulted in its closure.
The closing of the bridge created the longest stretch of U.S.-Mexico border without a legal border crossing, almost 400 miles, between the Presidio
-Ojinaga
and Del Rio
-Acuna
crossings. A number of individuals have advocated reopening the bridge, citing benefits such as increased revenues for the area from ecotourism, improved access for persons who do business in the U.S. and Mexico, and a need for a crossing based sheerly on the shared cultural and familial ties between persons on each side of the border.
In 2003, the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas passed a resolution advocating its support of the reopening of the La Linda Bridge, noting that the bridge remains in good condition and that local governments in the U.S. and Mexico support the reopening of the bridge as a legal border crossing.
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
on the United States–Mexico border
United States–Mexico border
The United States–Mexico border is the international border between the United States and Mexico. It runs from Imperial Beach, California, and Tijuana, Baja California, in the west to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and Brownsville, Texas, in the east, and traverses a variety of terrains, ranging from major...
in the Big Bend region of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It is the southern terminus of Ranch to Market Road 2627
Ranch to Market Road 2627
Ranch to Market Road 2627 is a ranch to market road located entirely within Brewster County, Texas.-Route description:The southern terminus of RM 2627 is in Brewster County at the currently-closed La Linda International Bridge across the Rio Grande...
in Heath Canyon and connects Brewster County
Brewster County, Texas
Brewster County is a county located in western part of the US state of Texas, along the border with Mexico. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. As of the 2000 census, the population is 8,866. In 2009, the population was estimated to be 9,481. Its...
with the village of La Linda in Acuña Municipality, Coahuila
Coahuila
Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico...
. The bridge is also known as the Gerstaker Bridge and the Hallie Stillwell Memorial Bridge. The one lane international bridge was constructed in 1964 by Dow Chemical to transport fluorspar from mines in Coahuila
Coahuila
Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico...
into the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The unmonitored international bridge was shut down in 1997 by United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
/ Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
authorities because of suspected smuggling. Other reports add that a Mexican customs inspector was killed at the bridge, which resulted in its closure.
The closing of the bridge created the longest stretch of U.S.-Mexico border without a legal border crossing, almost 400 miles, between the Presidio
Presidio, Texas
Presidio is a city in Presidio County, Texas, United States. It stands on the Rio Grande , on the opposite side of the U.S.-Mexico border from Ojinaga, Chihuahua. The population was 4,167 at the 2000 census....
-Ojinaga
Ojinaga
Ojinaga Municipality is one of the 67 municipalities of Chihuahua, in northern Mexico. The municipal seat lies at Ojinaga, a rural bordertown on the U.S.-Mexico border...
and Del Rio
Del Rio, Texas
Del Rio is a border city in and the county seat of Val Verde County, Texas, United States.. Del Rio is connected with Ciudad Acuña via the Lake Amistad Dam International Crossing and Del Río-Ciudad Acuña International Bridge...
-Acuna
Ciudad Acuña
Ciudad Acuña, also known simply as Acuña, is a city located in the Mexican state of Coahuila, at and a mean height above sea level of 271 meters...
crossings. A number of individuals have advocated reopening the bridge, citing benefits such as increased revenues for the area from ecotourism, improved access for persons who do business in the U.S. and Mexico, and a need for a crossing based sheerly on the shared cultural and familial ties between persons on each side of the border.
In 2003, the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas passed a resolution advocating its support of the reopening of the La Linda Bridge, noting that the bridge remains in good condition and that local governments in the U.S. and Mexico support the reopening of the bridge as a legal border crossing.
