CPKC dedicates Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge

Canadian Pacific Kansas City yesterday officially opened the Patrick J. Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge with a ceremonial ribbon cutting held over the Rio Grande River and the U.S.-Mexico border.

Ottensmeyer, who died in July 2024, served as the final president and CEO of Kansas City Southern from before 2015 until April 14, 2023, when KCS and Canadian Pacific merged to form CPKC.

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 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 from 2017 to 2020.

"The name Patrick J. Ottensmeyer will forever be a part of the proud history of Kansas City Southern and the legacy of CPKC," said CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel in a press release. "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."

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 United States' largest trading partner.