City of Eagle Pass International Bridges Affected by Winter Storms
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2021
The two winter storms that walloped the City of Eagle Pass back to back during February 14-20, 2021 affected the operations of the two Eagle Pass International Bridges, causing the temporary closure of Bridge No. 1 and reduced the hours of operation of Bridge No. 2.
On February 12, 2021, Eagle Pass Bridge System Director Homero Balderas issued a press release warning travelers using the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico two international bridges to drive with caution due to the expected winter storm on February 14 which could cause ice, sleet, and snow to develop or fall on the bridges.
No sooner had Balderas warned travelers, a motorist traveling on Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 sustained an accident caused by ice and sleet on the bridge on February 14, 2021, damaging the automobile and pedestrian fence on the bridge and causing the City of Eagle Pass to close down Bridge No. 1 due to hazardous driving conditions as a result of the winter storm. Bridge No. 2 remained open, though.
With the electricity power outage in the community, Bridge No. 1 was temporarily closed again on Tuesday, February 16, as the Eagle Pass U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Port of Entry No. 1 lacked electricity to operate while Bridge No. 2 remained open.
Eventually electricity power was restored by AEP Texas to Bridge No. 1 on February 18 and it was reopened to the public.
With the second winter storm hitting Eagle Pass on February 18, Bridge No. 2 hours of operation were reduced with it being closed down at 11 p.m. due to hazardous driving conditions on the bridge. Bridges Nos. 1 and 2 were reopened at 8 a.m. on February 19.
While both Eagle Pass International Bridges are now open on Friday, February 19, the two consecutive winter storms affected the hours of operations at the two bridges, affecting traffic while placing the safety of travelers as the top priority.
