EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar criticized the El Paso Chamber of Commerce\u2019s effort to rename the Bridge of the Americas after President Donald Trump, saying the group should focus on preparing other ports of entry for a planned shift in commercial truck traffic.<\/p>\n
In a statement Thursday, Escobar pointed to rising gas prices, tariffs and Trump\u2019s announcement that he would not renew the U.S. trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. <\/p>\n
She criticized the Chamber for focusing on renaming the bridge, and said it did not take part in the four-year public process for the bridge project despite invitations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s still time for them to refocus their efforts on helping those of us planning and working to ensure our other land ports of entry are ready for the shift in commercial traffic in the years to come,\u201d Escobar said.<\/p>\n
The General Services Administration\u2019s modernization plan is expected to end commercial truck processing at the bridge when construction begins in early 2028. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2031. <\/p>\n
The Chamber has warned that ending truck traffic at the bridge could hurt the region\u2019s economy. A study it commissioned estimated a $2.3 billion net loss in regional economic output through 2036. <\/p>\n