By 
Story by TIM SULLIVAN
The city of Donna has been awarded an almost $36 million loan to help make the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge a fully commercial operation.
The 30-year low-interest loan comes from the State Infrastructure Bank, a revolving loan fund managed by the Texas Transportation Commission. Donna city officials tell the McAllen Monitor the loan will cut the upfront costs to construct two additional northbound lanes to accommodate commercial truck traffic from Mexico.
The city will also save millions of dollars in interest over the course of the loan. The awarding of the loan comes five months after Donna voters approved a proposal for the city to issue $45 million in general obligation bonds to fund the bridge expansion. Officials are hoping to begin construction by next summer.
