Depending on the time of day it could take travelers hours to cross some of the International Bridges in the Valley.
Now, comes word, there could be wait times before the bridges….just down the road with proposed checkpoints.
"The delays are minimal compared to securing your safety," said Texas State Representative Veronica Gonzales.
Gonzales said these southbound inspections have been done in other states like California and Arizona—but have not produced the weapons lawmakers thought they would.
"Cartels are not stupid,” said Gonzales. “They've been in this business for a long time. They're sophisticated enough to know if there is a long line they're not going to put their weapons through there. They will see the line of cars—radio—and say don't go that direction."
But the checkpoints have been successful in seizing hundreds of thousands in cash.
Senator Juan ‘Chuy’ Hinojosa, who is backing the bill on the senate side, said none of this will go into play right away.
He said they will need backing from local law enforcement as wells as the business community.
"We want to make sure that we're all on the same page and have input and find a way that we can be more effective and find ways to capture and get some of the guns and cash that are going south," said Hinojosa.
He said they only want these checkpoints along the River—where they know most of the illegal smuggling takes place.
Representative Aaron Pena is also backing the bill in the Texas House of Representatives—Action 4 News was unable to reach him for comment.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT