CPKC dedicates Patrick J. Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge

Rhea-AI Summary

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP) has officially opened the Patrick J. Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge with a ceremonial ribbon cutting over the Rio Grande. The $100 million bridge, named after the final KCS president and CEO who passed away in July 2024, is the only railroad bridge connecting Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas.

The new infrastructure more than doubles the capacity at the U.S.-Mexico border, featuring a 1,170-foot second track bridge with six reinforced concrete piers, positioned 35 feet from the existing track bridge. The project includes 4,500 feet of new track and enhanced security investments, including a VACIS X-ray railcar inspection system and surveillance cameras.

Positive

• $100 million infrastructure investment doubles border crossing capacity
• Enhanced operational efficiency with simultaneous bi-directional train operations
• Improved border security with new X-ray inspection system and surveillance

Negative

• None.

Insights

Infrastructure and Trade Expert

The completion of the $100 million Patrick J. Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge marks a pivotal development in North American rail infrastructure, significantly enhancing CPKC's competitive position in the important U.S.-Mexico trade corridor. The bridge's dual-track capability, allowing simultaneous bi-directional train movements, represents a transformative upgrade that should materially improve operational metrics and capacity utilization.

The strategic value of this infrastructure investment is magnified by several factors:

• The bridge serves as the only rail crossing point between Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, effectively creating a natural monopoly for CPKC in this high-traffic trade corridor
• Enhanced security features, including the VACIS X-ray system, should reduce inspection-related delays and associated costs
• The timing aligns perfectly with increasing near-shoring trends and growing U.S.-Mexico trade volumes
• The 4,500 feet of new track and modern construction features suggest lower maintenance costs and improved operational reliability

From a financial perspective, this investment should drive multiple revenue and efficiency gains: reduced dwell times, increased train frequency, lower per-unit operating costs and enhanced service reliability. These improvements position CPKC to capture a larger share of the growing cross-border freight market, particularly as companies continue to diversify supply chains away from Asia-Pacific routes.

CALGARY, AB, Feb. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) (CPKC) today officially opened the Patrick J. Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge with a ceremonial ribbon cutting held over the Rio Grande.

"The name Patrick J. Ottensmeyer will forever be a part of the proud history of Kansas City Southern and the legacy of CPKC," said Keith Creel, CPKC President and CEO. "Pat believed strongly in the work our railroaders do every day enabling trade amongst great nations. His leadership and vision led to the development and completion of the second span of the international bridge between the United States and Mexico at North America's largest inland gateway. Having it bear his name is a fitting tribute to a remarkable leader and person."  

Ottensmeyer served as final president and CEO of Kansas City Southern (KCS) from 2015 until April 14, 2023, upon the completion of the combination of Canadian Pacific and KCS that created CPKC. He passed away in July 2024.

Among his many career recognitions, Ottensmeyer received the North American Rail Shippers Association Edward R. Hamberger Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. He was a two-time Railway Age Railroader of the Year (2020 and 2022) and received Progressive Railroading's Railroad Innovator Award in 2019. An advocate of North American trade, Ottensmeyer also served as the U.S. Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO) from 2019 to 2023. In this role as leader of the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, he was instrumental in representing business interests during the formation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) from 2017-2020.

The Ottensmeyer bridge is the only railroad bridge crossing the Rio Grande River linking Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, across the U.S.-Mexico border. The $100 million bridge more than doubles the capacity at the border of the most secure and efficient railway trade corridor between the United States and Mexico, the U.S.'s largest trading partner. The U.S. Presidential Permit for construction of the new bridge span was received in July 2020.

Key features of the Ottensmeyer Bridge:

• New second track bridge with total length of 1,170 feet.
• Ballasted deck plate girder bridge built with six reinforced concrete piers.
• Second track bridge constructed on the right-of-way roughly 35 feet from existing track bridge, allowing trains to operate in both directions at the same time.
• 4,500 feet of new track.
• Enhanced border security investments, including a new VACIS X-ray railcar inspection system and surveillance cameras.

About CPKC
With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and México, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf of México to Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC. CP-IR

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SOURCE CPKC

FAQ

What is the cost and capacity impact of CP's new Ottensmeyer Bridge?

The $100 million bridge project more than doubles the rail capacity at the U.S.-Mexico border crossing between Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas.

What are the key features of CP's new international railway bridge?

The bridge features a 1,170-foot second track, six reinforced concrete piers, 4,500 feet of new track, and enhanced security including X-ray inspection system and surveillance cameras.

When did CP receive the U.S. Presidential Permit for the new bridge span?

CP received the U.S. Presidential Permit for construction of the new bridge span in July 2020.

How does the new CP bridge improve border operations?

The bridge allows trains to operate simultaneously in both directions, with enhanced security features including VACIS X-ray inspection and surveillance systems.