Binational highways of the future. Jalisco and Texas leading the new logistics map of North America

In the 21st century’s geo-economic landscape, supply chains are no longer just transportation routes—they are strategic arteries that define competitiveness, national security, and regional integration. Within this framework, the Jalisco–Texas corridor is emerging as a key piece in the reconfiguration of North American trade, driven by the USMCA, nearshoring, and geopolitical tensions with Asia. Consolidating this route is not merely a logistical opportunity, but a binational commitment to shared economic development between Mexico and the United States.

During 2024, infrastructure advancements have been significant. In Jalisco, over 7.8 billion pesos were invested in logistics projects, including the expansion of the Peribús in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, the rehabilitation of the Tepatitlán Southern Bypass, and the modernization of the Guadalajara International Airport, which saw a 14% increase in cargo traffic compared to 2023, according to Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico. Additionally, the Inland Port of Lagos de Moreno strengthened its position as a strategic hub for overland transport to the north of the country.

On the Texas side, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) allocated more than $3.4 billion USD to the modernization of key corridors to Laredo, El Paso, and Brownsville. These investments are part of the 2023 Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan, which identified over 140 priority projects to improve efficiency at border crossings. In 2024, Laredo regained its position as the number one land port in the U.S., with over $278 billion in bilateral trade, nearly 30% of which was automotive and electronics manufacturing—sectors in which Jalisco plays an increasingly significant role.

This dynamism has been fueled by the growing trend of nearshoring in Mexico’s Bajío and western regions. Jalisco, in particular, attracted over $1.8 billion USD in foreign direct investment during the first half of 2024—a 22% increase compared to the same period the previous year. U.S.-based companies in the tech and logistics sectors, such as UPS, Flex, and Intel, have expanded their presence in the region due to its skilled labor force, multimodal connectivity, and geographic proximity to Texas.

However, the strengthening of these supply chains extends beyond physical infrastructure. Customs digitalization, smart mobility systems, and interagency interoperability are transforming the logistics experience. By the end of 2024, a joint customs preclearance pilot program was launched between Mexico’s Customs Agency and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), allowing high-value shipments to be pre-certified at origin and cross with reduced inspection, cutting processing times by up to 35% at select entry points.

At the political level, both governments have demonstrated a willingness to move forward. The Government of Jalisco has strengthened ties with Texas through trade missions and agreements with business organizations such as the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC). Meanwhile, Texas has increased collaboration with northern and western Mexican states on logistics security, border management, and regulatory harmonization.

Nevertheless, the road to a fully integrated binational logistics system still faces critical challenges heading into 2025. First, congestion and delays at several border crossings remain a structural bottleneck. At the Colombia–Solidarity Bridge alone, cargo transport wait times increased by 18% during the final months of 2024, according to the University of Texas at Austin. In addition, discrepancies in environmental regulations, phytosanitary requirements, and technical standards still hinder full interoperability.

Another challenge lies in secondary infrastructure. While major projects capture attention, many local roads in Jalisco and Texas lack the maintenance and technology necessary to support rising heavy transport traffic. Road safety, particularly in Mexico’s central corridor, also remains a concern for carriers and logistics companies.

Strengthening the Jalisco–Texas corridor must also include the development of binational talent specialized in international trade, logistics data analysis, and cybersecurity. Universities such as ITESO, the University of Guadalajara, UT Austin, and Texas A&M are already developing joint programs, but their current reach is limited given the scale of demand.

In 2025, the main challenge will be to articulate a more ambitious binational vision—one that not only modernizes existing supply chains but also drives a new model of joint governance for 21st-century logistics. This requires multisectoral cooperation, shared territorial planning, public-private investment, and a comprehensive approach that considers not only economic efficiency, but also environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

Mexico and the United States don’t just share a border—they share a historic responsibility: to build a new logistics paradigm that strengthens competitiveness, ensures security, and delivers shared prosperity to millions on both sides of the Rio Grande.

Written by: Editorial

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