Pecos River High Bridge

The Pecos River High Bridge is a steel truss structure that spans the gorge of the Pecos River using seven main sections and two piers positioned in the water below. The bridge carries freight and passenger trains daily between the towns of Sanderson and Del Rio across the canyon landscape.

The bridge was designed by engineers Modjeski and Masters during World War II and completed in 1944 despite severe material shortages. Its construction was driven by the need to reinforce rail connections across the region during wartime.

The bridge forms part of the Historic American Engineering Record, documenting the advancement of railroad infrastructure development in the southwestern United States.

The bridge can be viewed from nearby highways and offers impressive views of the river landscape below. Since this is an active railroad structure, visitor access may be limited to safe vantage points away from train traffic.

Before construction could begin, the project required special approval from the War Production Board due to steel shortages during the conflict. This makes it a rare example of a major engineering project that was completed despite wartime economic constraints.

Location: Val Verde County

Inception: 1943

Height: 98 m

Length: 424 m

Made from material: steel

GPS coordinates: 29.75849,-101.35743

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02