The bridge connector
Loop 20, also called Bob Bullock Loop, begins at the World Trade Bridge and curves around the north and east sides of Laredo to its southern end at Mangana-Hein Road. Its busiest piece for trucks is the start: a short freeway section, co-signed as I-69W and US-59, that carries commercial traffic from the World Trade Bridge east to I-35.
That freeway is officially the beginning of I-69W, which is planned to follow US-59 east through Freer, George West, and Beeville to Victoria. For now, the designated interstate section is only about 1.4 miles long, and construction has been extending the freeway east toward Laredo International Airport.
Key points on Loop 20
| Location | What’s there | Notes for drivers |
|---|---|---|
| World Trade Bridge | Commercial truck crossing (Laredo IV) | North end of Loop 20 and start of I-69W |
| FM 1472 (Mines Road) | Crossing just east of the bridge | Yards and warehouses in both directions |
| I-35 (Exits 8A / 8B) | Stack interchange | Heavy merging truck traffic |
| Laredo International Airport | East side of the loop | Airport area |
| US-59 (Lloyd Bentsen Highway) | East Laredo | US-59 continues east toward Freer |
| SH-359 | East side of Laredo | SH-359 continues east toward Hebbronville |
| Mangana-Hein Road | South end of Loop 20 | South Laredo |
Breakdown hot spots
- Leaving the bridge. Trucks coming off the World Trade Bridge have often idled in line a long time — hot engines, loaded DPFs, and tired batteries show up right after the crossing.
- The I-35 interchange. Heavy merging and braking where bridge traffic meets the interstate.
- Construction zones. Freeway work narrows lanes and shoulders, making it harder to find a safe place to stop.
- Where the freeway ends. Loop 20 changes from freeway to surface road, and signals and cross traffic bring stop-and-go driving.
Where to get off the road
On the freeway section there’s little room to stop, and a truck on the shoulder near the bridge or the I-35 interchange is in a dangerous spot. If the truck can move, exit to Mines Road or I-35 and find a lot, yard, or truck stop — Love’s is on Mines Road at Pinnacle Road, and the Uniroyal Drive truck stops are a few exits north on I-35. If it can’t move, get as far right as possible and set out warning devices before doing anything else.
Heat, idling, and the bridge line
Waiting to cross is hard on equipment. A long summer idle means the cooling system and A/C run without much airflow, the DPF loads with soot, and a weak battery gets drained by the sleeper and accessories. If your truck spent a long time in line and a warning light comes on right after crossing, the two are usually related. Tell dispatch how long you were idling.
Services most often needed on Loop 20 / I-69W
- DPF, DEF & Regen Service
- Cooling System & Radiator Repair
- Air Brake Service
- Emergency Roadside Assistance
- Truck A/C Repair
- Trailer Repair
- Electrical & Charging Repair
Towns along this route
Loop 20 / I-69W roadside repair FAQ
Is Loop 20 the same as Bob Bullock Loop?
Yes. Loop 20 is also named Bob Bullock Loop. Its freeway section near the World Trade Bridge is also signed as I-69W and US-59.
Where does I-69W start?
At the World Trade Bridge in Laredo. The current interstate section runs about 1.4 miles east to I-35, and I-69W is planned to follow US-59 east toward Victoria.
Which Laredo bridges carry commercial trucks?
Two: the World Trade Bridge and the Colombia Solidarity Bridge. The Colombia Solidarity Bridge is the designated crossing for hazardous materials and oversize loads.
My truck threw a code right after crossing the bridge. Is that normal?
It’s common. Long idles in the bridge line load the DPF with soot and put heat stress on the cooling system and batteries. Call and describe the light and how long you were idling.