Alpine Highway 90 Bridge Hit Again: Fourth Strike of 2026

What happened

The Alpine Highway 90 bridge was hit again. Around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, a vehicle struck the barrier at the railroad bridge on West Highway 90 in Alpine, Texas. The Alpine Police Department said the barrier was damaged and the highway was closed. Police did not give a time for it to reopen.

This was the fourth strike this year. The barrier was also hit on Aug. 10, Sept. 8 and Oct. 14. That is two hits in one week.

Police asked drivers to avoid the area, use another route and watch for crews working near the bridge.

The bridge belongs to Union Pacific railroad. It has 14 feet 3 inches of clearance. That is already higher than before. After a 2024 TxDOT study, the bridge was raised from 13 feet 7 inches. A yellow metal bar and new warning signs were added to protect it. The bridge still keeps getting hit.

What it means for owner-operators

West Highway 90 is a main road across the Big Bend area. When it closes, trucks lose time and fuel. During the September closure, westbound traffic went through Fort Davis on State Highway 118. That is a long way around.

A bridge strike can also cost the driver much more than time. After the September hit, the driver was hauling a small excavator on a trailer. Police charged him with a Class B misdemeanor. The charge was for driving an over-height vehicle without the proper license and permits.

That is the lesson for every owner-operator in West Texas and beyond. A tall load is not only a road problem. It is a paperwork problem. If your load is too tall or too wide, you need the right permit before you move. The permit route is planned to keep you away from low bridges like this one.

Local leaders are looking at more ways to stop the hits. Ideas include a laser that measures truck height and flashes a warning, and a swinging metal bar placed before the bridge.

What to do next

• Measure your rig and your load before every trip. Write the height on a sticker in your cab.
• Know the clearance on your route. The Alpine bridge on West Highway 90 is 14 feet 3 inches.
• Hauling equipment like an excavator? Check the total height on the trailer, not just the machine.
• If your load is oversize, get the permit first. Our guide on the Texas oversize overweight permit explains how it works.
• Keep your USDOT and authority papers in order. Our filing guide walks you through each step.
• Running through Alpine today? Watch for crews and follow the posted detour.

Need help with your permits or your authority? Call TCZ Permits at 956-526-6727.