HIDALGO – International bridge officials are asking travelers to take safety precautions and to be aware of the port-of-entry wait times.

The superintendent of bridges, Rigo Villareal, says preparation is important.

He says for months his crew has been planning for extra security to lower the holiday wait times.

Instead of only six open lanes at the McAllen-Hidalgo bridge, there were 11 lanes open to allow traffic to flow more smoothly.

Villareal says the wait time has decreased by more than 30 minutes.

Lower Rio Grande Valley officials say they are doing what they can to lower wait times.

For more information watch the video above.