Mexico Lifts Empty Truck Restriction After Six Days Being Implemented, Causing Significant Loss of International Bridge Revenues for Eagle Pass

By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Mexican customs authorities lifted their restriction on empty commercial vehicles Monday, September 14, 2026 ending a six-day disruption that reduced tractor-trailer crossings at the Eagle Pass international bridges by nearly two-thirds and potentially cost the city tens of thousands of dollars in toll revenue.

The announcement came hours after the Eagle Pass City Council publicly discussed the continuing restriction and its effect on commercial vehicle traffic, city finances and the binational transportation industry at its September 14, 2026 special meeting.

A notice issued by the Piedras Negras Customs Administration stated that crossings had resumed for empty cargo vehicles traveling from the United States into Mexico. The Mexican Customs office lifted or rescinded its previous restriction issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 restricting empty tractor trailers from crossing into Mexico at the Ports of Entry at Eagle Pass and Brownsville effective immediately.

Transportation companies, customs brokers and other commercial bridge users were advised to make the necessary preparations for their operations.

The restriction had been in place since Wednesday, September 9. It allowed commercial vehicles carrying merchandise to enter Mexico but prohibited empty tractor-trailers, three-axle tractors without trailers and other unloaded commercial vehicles from crossing into Mexico.

During Monday’s Eagle Pass City Council special meeting on September 14,, City of Eagle Pass International Bridge Director Patricia Mancha said the number of commercial vehicles using the bridges had fallen from approximately 1,000 per day to an estimated 300 and 400.
Mancha reported that 996 tractor-trailers crossed Tuesday, September 8, the final day before the restriction took effect.

Traffic dropped to 340 trucks the following day and remained between approximately 300 and 400 daily while the measure continued.

The decline represented about 600 fewer commercial vehicle crossings per day and a reduction of nearly two-thirds from normal traffic levels.

Based on the city’s commercial toll rates and the estimated number of lost crossings, the six-day restriction may have reduced city toll collections by an estimated $70,200 and $108,000 if the affected vehicles averaged three axles.

If the vehicles averaged five axles, the estimated loss could range from $117,000 to $180,000. The actual amount will depend on the number of axles, payment methods and final daily traffic totals.

“That’s a significant hit,” City Manager Homero Balderas said during the meeting.

Before receiving notification that the restriction had been lifted, city officials said Mexican authorities had not provided a timeline for restoring normal operations or explained why Eagle Pass and Brownsville were reportedly the only Texas border communities affected.

The City of Eagle Pass submitted a letter signed by Balderas to authorities in Mexico City requesting information and relief from the restriction. Transportation companies from the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras area also submitted letters supporting the city’s request.

Mayor Aaron Valdez questioned at the September 14 meeting whether the city was preparing for the possibility that the measure could remain in effect for an extended period.
Balderas said U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials initially understood that the restriction would last only one day.

However, it continued for nearly a week, forcing the city to consider its longer-term consequences for loss of bridge revenue and the transportation industry.

Balderas said the restriction created a particular problem for the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras trade corridor because approximately 80 percent of its commercial traffic involves transfer operations.

Trucks frequently cross to deliver cargo, return empty and collect another load.

Councilwoman Jessica Rey Ramon also questioned why Eagle Pass and Brownsville had been affected while other ports of entry continued operating without similar restrictions.

Ramon pointed to Laredo, where commercial crossing hours were reportedly extended to midnight under a pilot program while Eagle Pass experienced a severe reduction in traffic.

“That does not sit well, obviously, with us,” Ramon said.

The notice lifting the restriction was dated September 14, 2026 while the city council meeting was in progress and stated that empty commercial vehicles could resume crossing from the United States into Mexico immediately.

The reopening brought relief to the city and transportation companies after six days of reduced commercial traffic.

However, the disruption demonstrated how quickly a decision made outside the community could affect bridge operations, international commerce and one of the City of Eagle Pass’ most important sources of revenue.

The City of Eagle Pass annually relies on the international bridge revenues to finance its fiscal year budget by tapping up to $13-$20 million of its revenues. The city will review its international bridge commercial vehicle toll revenues in the coming days to determine how much money it lost during the six day restriction.