The Laredo MSA population now stands at 200,000 people. With over 600,000 people living just across the river in Nuevo Laredo, we will have a local population of 900,000 plus by the end of this year, and one million in just under 5 years. From the LDF staff's perspective, things look even better. During the past two centuries Laredo has been at the crossroads of U.S.-Mexico trae and commerce. As the city of 200,000 inhabitants enters the next millennium, Laredo will contine to shape the destiny of the region.
Tremendous efforts are underway to maintain a competitive business environment.
In this regard, extensive participation by the business community will hallmark how well we are prepared to address both the increase in growth and commerce. In the year 2000, the Port of Laredo will have to handle over 2 million loaded trucks. To put this in perspective, Laredo will go from the 1996 average of 3,500 loaded trucks per day to 7,000 trucks per day only three years from now. It won't be long, and we will need every bridge we've got, including the one we haven't built yet. We'd better get serious.