NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico — Thousands of U.S. and Mexican trucks hauling goods across the border were backed up Wednesday after severe flooding blocked a key trade route in northern Mexico, truckers and authorities said.
Some 22,000 trucks were unable to deliver goods between the Mexican border cities of Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey and the Texas city of Laredo as days of rain from Hurricane Alex and a second tropical storm swamped the highway from Monterrey, Mexico's national cargo truckers' chamber said.
The road that was shut since Friday was partially reopened Wednesday but water levels were still impeding many trucks from moving and priority was being given to vehicles carrying fresh produce and emergency aid for flooded Mexican towns.
"We have 22,000 trucks that cannot deliver on both sides of the border and are completely stalled," said Refugio Munoz, the truckers' chamber president. "We don't see trucks moving again until Friday," he told Reuters.
It was not clear what the full economic impact of the blockage would be, but Nuevo Laredo Mayor Ramon Garza said it was substantial. The route carries some 40 percent of trade over the U.S.-Mexico border.
"This represents millions and millions of dollars lost," said Garza.
Munoz said Mexican truckers had been using an alternative route since Friday, reaching Nuevo Laredo via Reynosa across from McAllen, Texas, but that the highway suffered damages from flooding and partly collapsed Monday.
"This could affect factories because they rely on auto parts from the United States on a just-in-time basis and supplies are not getting through," he added.
Some 22,000 trucks were unable to deliver goods between the Mexican border cities of Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey and the Texas city of Laredo as days of rain from Hurricane Alex and a second tropical storm swamped the highway from Monterrey, Mexico's national cargo truckers' chamber said.
The road that was shut since Friday was partially reopened Wednesday but water levels were still impeding many trucks from moving and priority was being given to vehicles carrying fresh produce and emergency aid for flooded Mexican towns.
"We have 22,000 trucks that cannot deliver on both sides of the border and are completely stalled," said Refugio Munoz, the truckers' chamber president. "We don't see trucks moving again until Friday," he told Reuters.
It was not clear what the full economic impact of the blockage would be, but Nuevo Laredo Mayor Ramon Garza said it was substantial. The route carries some 40 percent of trade over the U.S.-Mexico border.
"This represents millions and millions of dollars lost," said Garza.
Munoz said Mexican truckers had been using an alternative route since Friday, reaching Nuevo Laredo via Reynosa across from McAllen, Texas, but that the highway suffered damages from flooding and partly collapsed Monday.
"This could affect factories because they rely on auto parts from the United States on a just-in-time basis and supplies are not getting through," he added.
