Columbia crossing , Laredo updates

[slowlyiturn]

I'm looking for reports on crossing at the Columbia bridge in Laredo Tx heading north for this season. Last year it was painful and I'm hoping things have improved this year as we will be crossing back into the USA in late March. We are towing a 35' 5th wheel. 1st person reports would be appreciated.

[qtla9111]

Great! The system works.

[slowlyiturn]

crossed on the 31st of march and our refund for the truck was back on our visa the 1st of april.

[slowlyiturn]

We crossed on Monday around 3 in the aft. It took 1/2 hour from the time we stopped to turn in our stickers until we drove away on the US side. A huge difference from last year. We went thru the car lane...very narrow and dealt with 2 pleasant young men. But it took an hour to get to Casa Blanca SP because of the traffic. Already looking forward to next year.

[Wm_Elliot]

We went through Laredo bridge #2 Saturday, on a motorcycle. Traffic was backed half way across the bridge and it took about an hour to get to the customs booth. A few questions and we were on our way. Second year in a row that we never got searched - in Mexico or the US.

[JerBear]

Yes we were that group. Crossed into Texas with very little problem. There was one vehicle ahead of us in the line so that part was very fast. However they asked if we had any meat and we had some Canadian pork so they boarded for a check. They took our sausages and pork loins :-(. I argued that it was from Canada and the labels backed that up but to no avail. First time we were asked if we had liquor and of course we did. Paid a small tax and we were on our way. Very courteous and polite. No X Ray machine for the big rigs either. All in all a pleasant crossing.
JerBear

[slowlyiturn]

Anything new to report about crossing. I heard a group left Matehuala recently. Any info appreciated

[briansue]

They only allow the driver in the vehicle - even the dog must get out - probably has to do with the Xrays. This time Sue took a book and food and water and was prepared to sit and wait. At that point our US phones were back in service so I called her when they were close to done with me and she walked out by the last booth where I could pick her up - pull up about a hundred feet or so past the booth so as not to block the following trucks - we blocked the lane for the boarding process and the truckers were not thrilled.

[slowlyiturn]

Briansue, were you both allowed to stay with the vehicle thru the truck lanes?
My wife was forced to walk thru alone last year.

[briansue]

We crossed at Columbia yesterday - Tue. Mar. 18 and it took just about an hour start to finish. There was no truck line-up when we got there at just before 2pm - about 6 trucks in Xray line. Agents are still arrogant and rude but we just smiled and got it done. Mexico side of course was no problem.

[jornvango]

Make sure you get your passport stamped. We crossed at Columbia and even though we were all alone doing the tourist visas and car import papers, the immigration officer 'forgot' to put an entry stamp in our passports.

[MikeJinCO]

We went thru on Thursday, 6 March. With a truck camper and towed we went thru the car lanes, no issues. The biggest problem was the delays for "inspections" the first about 20k north of San Pedro and the second at the large station near Laredo just before the turnoff to Colombia. 45 minutes to an hour each time. No inspection, just a delay.

[qtla9111]

Coming through #2 on Friday I had my first incident ever crossing into Mexico. They had changed the set up and I goofed by wanting to do a lane change. My driver's side trailer tires were hung up on the curb. Juan got out and helped me back up and the Mexican border agents came running. They guided me too and then motioned me to move ahead. They had the plastic divider barriers and moved them for me to come through. They then asked for the pedimento. The guys were a hoot and we laughed up a storm about rvers navigating through, all positive though. I did almost take out a two inch post as I got hung up on the curb. I told the guy I had heard stories of how much they charge an rver to repair those things. Other than that, we were on our way in five minutes.

[Wm_Elliot]

It's been a few years since I brought an RV through #2, but it doesn't appear to be a problem. Coming up 85 / 85D it's an easy right turn into the road that leads to where the stickers are turned in. The building is a little west of #2, so when you're through turning in the sticker you backtrack 1/4 mile, then it's a pretty hard right. Don't get in the far right lane, get in the lane just next to the far right. Occasionally the booth ahead accepts stickers, but it's rarely been open recently. You'll keep to the right, cross the bridge and there are a lot of lanes to choose from - they are tight but doable.
After customs, you are at the start of I-35, just go straight.
Last year when we crossed at #2 on a motorcycle we were treated with good humor and no search. They just looked at the passports.

[qtla9111]

You can avoid TT255 by exiting the bridge area and turning right on Hwy1472. Either way, you still go around both Laredos and I think that is the beauty of the bridge.

After turning in your TIP at the caseta, you go continue ahead until you find the left turn lane. This left turn lane is a constant loop that will take you around and around. Let's say you miss the caseta for the TIP, no issue. Go ahead and take the turn around. After, take the turn around again and turn in your FMM.

All of this can be seen by doing a Google Earth search. It shows quite clearly the immigration buildings as well as the loop turn around, the crossing into the U.S. and Hwy 1472.

You never enter either city by using this crossing. That said, we had issues using Bridge #2 this last week. Heading to San Antonio last week we were not treated very well by U.S. immigration during the TT inspection and the unusually strict interrogation. Coming back through Bridge #2, ICE agents shook us down. I won't go any further but the Colombia Bridge is the best option IMHO.