An autonomous logistics and infrastructure company announced approval from the Trump Administration to kick off construction on a “megaproject” intended to streamline cross-border freight transportation between the U.S. and Mexico.

On June 20, Houston-headquartered Green Corridors announced that the White House granted approval to construct, maintain, and operate an autonomous Intelligent Freight Transportation System (IFTS) corridor between Laredo, Texas and Monterrey, Mexico. 

The project carries an estimate price tag of $10 billion, to be covered by Green Corridors in part through fees charged to customers moving freight through the system.

The IFTS system uses autonomous freight shuttles powered by hybrid electric motors to “relieve traffic congestion by moving freight off the road and onto elevated guideways connected to secure terminals,” the company says. “Our elevated guideway is a viaduct system that removes tractor trailer and container traffic from the public roadway, eliminating crashes and reducing traffic congestion. At our inland terminals, proprietary, full-automated, mechanized handling systems load and unload freight from trucks to shuttles.”

Green Corridors points out that $2 billion in U.S./Mexico GDP was lost due to delays in border crossings in 2019, and says that “if left unaddressed, these economic losses could exceed $100 billion by 2050.”

“This project represents a paradigm shift in transportation with our largest trading partner,” said Green Corridors CEO Mitch Carlson. “By separating freight from public traffic, we can significantly reduce transportation costs and solve serious congestion and safety issues.”

Green Corridors also says that the project will enhance border security by curbing “terrorists, human trafficking, and drug smuggling,” reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve visibility for freight customers through a connected mobile app.

See the video below for more on the project.