Union Pacific International Railroad Bridge, Railway bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila.
The Union Pacific International Railroad Bridge is a steel structure spanning the Rio Grande to connect Eagle Pass with Piedras Negras. The bridge comprises multiple steel deck sections supported by sturdy piers that carry freight trains over the river.
The bridge opened in 1999 as a key development in cross-border rail infrastructure between the United States and Mexico. This improvement enabled direct freight routes that integrated supply chains across the international boundary.
This rail crossing reveals the daily economic partnership between Texas and Coahuila through constant freight movement. The bridge embodies how trade shapes the relationship between these neighboring regions.
Access to the bridge is typically limited to railroad employees and authorized personnel, as this is not a public pedestrian crossing. The best viewing point is from the riverbank on either the Mexican or American side, where the full structure is visible.
Dozens of freight trains use the bridge daily, yet most visitors do not notice how railroad operators carefully manage train speed when crossing the river. Each train is closely monitored to ensure safety on this critical route.
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