By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
City council members postponed approving an ordinance attempting to deal with increased
traffic and line cutting at the international bridge toll plaza.
A discussion and possible action to amend the city’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 17 “Motor
Vehicles and Traffic,” Article IV, “Operation of Vehicles Generally,” was part of the council’s
regular meeting on Tuesday.
Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus made the motion to postpone approving the ordinance, and
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez gave the second, following a discussion of the need for the
ordinance changes and setting of fines for violators.
The Del Rio International Bridge provides access to and from the city of Ciudad Acuña, Coah.,
Mexico. As mentioned in a memo written by City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith and provided to
the council, the traffic has caused problems in the toll booth area at the bridge, including drivers
trying to “cut in line” in front of other vehicles and increasing the chances of accidents
happening.
Smith asked the council to approve the addition of a paragraph to the ordinance outlining a
$200 penalty for violating ordinance provisions. She stated the ordinance would not take effect
until the council approves it.
Smith also said the ordinance can be modified and approved during Tuesday’s meeting or be
brought back at a future meeting. Several council members, including Councilman Jesus Lopez
Jr., suggested postponing approval of the ordinance until the changes mentioned are formally
presented to the council.
Del Rio Police Department Chief Frank Ramirez was in attendance at the meeting to answer
questions. Lopez asked if DRPD will have a police officer on duty at the bridge to enforce the
ordinance. Ramirez said they currently do not have a staff member available to be at the bridge.
“The ordinance is going to help with line cutting. There isn’t much we can do. But with some of
the issues we have been having at the port of entry that we weren’t able to do a lot with, this
ordinance will give us the tools so that we can stop (vehicles) and put some citations because it
is getting dangerous out there,” Ramirez said.
Lopez then asked if people from Mexico will be aware of these changes, and Ramirez said there
will be a sign addressing the law at the port of entry for people to read. City Manager Shawna
Burkhart said DRPD and the city management team have had a meeting with Acuña city
officials to discuss the ordinance.
Mayor Al Arreola said the signs at the bridge will help protect the safety of the citizens and tell
people, “if you break (the law), you’ll get a ticket.”
Smith talked in more detail about the ordinance, stating, “The ordinance includes cutting in
line.You can’t get out of line in advance; you can’t block an intersection; you can’t drive through
the parking lots to get ahead.”
Smith mentioned that the part of the current ordinance stating commercial traffic is prohibited
from traveling in the left lane will be deleted.
The council unanimously agreed to postpone approving the ordinance for a future meeting.