almalibre
Puerto Morelos, Mexico
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Joined: 11/25/2007
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Hola all,
Has anyone been through the new inspection station south of Harlingen, TX? We noticed they were building it last time we went south in November 07 and it seemed to be operational (with army staffing it) when we went north in May '08.
It looks like it is replacing the simple vehicle sticker checkpoint that had been in use south of Harlingen (the traditional 20km checkpoint).
I was concerned because it looks pretty tight for RV's...plus with the permanent tables they had set up, it looks like a place one could be stuck for a while.
Thanks
Rob
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silversand
Montreal
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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...perhaps they have industrial-grade gamma backscatter (or, X-ray) devices set up there to see through your vehicle (and, you) ?
Keep track of your REM (not your depth of sleep, but your roentgen equivalent man dose) as you pass through the site over your travels 
Good luck,
Silver-
Silver
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Ext/LB Tow Package 4L80E Michelin AT2s| Outfitter Caribou
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geewiz
Canada & Mexico
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Joined: 11/21/2003
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We went down through that area last year.
After carefully reading the Church's entries we chose to try the Los Indios, Texas / Lucio Blanco crossing (the Free Trade Bridge). The crossing went smoothly, and there are immigration and Banjercito offices right there too.
Our problems started when we followed what we thought was the highway 2 east towards Matamoros. The Roji map book seemed to show a bypass which connects to Hwy 180/101 south. Well, there were no signs that we could see, and so followed the traffic flow which took us right into the city. There we got caught up in a traffic bottle neck, but with help of some other Mexican motorists, we got around a tight turn and back out to the outskirts. Not fun.
On our way north this spring, we prepared by talking to other rv'ers and reading on-line and instead took the turn off up hwy 99 through Valle Hermosa. There was a sign on Hwy 180 which indicated that it was the route to "Puente Del Libre Cambio" (or some such title in spanish). This route went right to the border with little delay or confusion.
And as far as I could see, no elaborate (scary) x-ray machines.
So we will go south that way this fall.
Glen & Susan
and our mascot, Pippin
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drtee
RGV, Texas
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Joined: 03/08/2005
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Where is this checkpoint? Is it on US 77S? The first that I've heard of it and I live only 8 miles from Harlingen.
There has never been a "traditional 20KM point" that I've seen. The only time someone from Mexico gets checked is when they reach the Sarita check point on Hwy 77 or the Falfurrias checkpoint on US 281, which is about 60 miles from the border.
Please clarify.
Wm. W. Thompson, PhD
Professor of Marketing
UT-Pan American
Edinburg, TX
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almalibre
Puerto Morelos, Mexico
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Sorry for the delay, the inspection station must be at the intersection of the road through Vallehermosa and the road from Matamoras.
I had the exact location marked on my GPS, but it passed away recently.
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geewiz
Canada & Mexico
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Yes it is there, still under construction when we came through about a month ago.
Once across the border at Los Indios, follow signs to Valle Hermoso, and it is just south of where Hwy 99 joins Hwy 101.
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jhinojosa
Brownsville TX
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Joined: 06/26/2008
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It makes sense, there has never been an inspection station there, so the Gov't is more than likely building one because they need to inspect traffic on that highway.
2008 Jayco Jay Feather LGT 25F
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax/Allison
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almalibre
Puerto Morelos, Mexico
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I just passed by it. The station is about 60 kms from the Los Indios border crossing. There is still a vehicle import check at about 50 kms.
The station is built and has huge signs and lighting, but looks like it has never been used.
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