Laredo Bridge Truck Strike: Container Rig Hits Del Mar Bridge

What happened

A Laredo bridge truck strike closed part of Del Mar Boulevard on Monday, Oct. 19. A tractor-trailer hauling a large shipping container hit the top of a bridge. It happened at West Del Mar Boulevard and San Dario Avenue, KGNS reported late Monday morning.

Police said no one was hurt. That is the best news in this story.

Laredo police blocked traffic at two spots: Santa Maria Avenue and Del Mar Boulevard, and San Dario Avenue and Del Mar Boulevard. Officers asked drivers to stay away from the area and use other routes until the scene was cleared.

The report did not say what caused the strike. It also did not say how tall the container load was, or if anyone got a ticket. We will not guess.

What it means for owner-operators

Laredo is a freight town, and a lot of trucks there carry containers on chassis. A container load can sit higher than the dry van you pull every day. A few inches is all it takes to hit a bridge.

When police close a busy street like Del Mar, everyone loses time. Trucks waiting on a delivery or a pickup in the area have to find another way in.

A bridge strike is never just a scratch. It can damage the bridge, the box and your truck. It can stop traffic for hours. And depending on the facts, the bill and the ticket can land on the driver and the carrier.

This is not only a Laredo problem. Low bridges, rail overpasses and old underpasses exist in every state. Most strikes happen on routes the driver does not know, on detours, or when a car GPS sends a truck down the wrong street.

What to do next

• Know your real height. Measure the truck with the container on it, not just the spec sheet. Write it on a sticker in the cab.
• Check the chassis too. A different chassis can change the height of the same box.
• Use a truck GPS or a truck route app that knows low clearances. A car app does not.
• Read every clearance sign. If the number is close to your height, do not risk it. Stop in a safe place and find another route.
• Be extra careful near Del Mar and San Dario until the scene is cleared. Plan another way around.
• If your load is over the legal limits, you need a permit and an approved route before you roll. Our guide on Texas oversize and overweight permits explains how it works.
• After any strike, stop in a safe place, call 911, take photos and report it to your carrier.

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