BEND, OREGON — Bend’s notoriously low railroad bridge near Murphy Road claimed another semi-truck Monday afternoon when an enclosed tractor-trailer struck the overpass and became wedged underneath, triggering a full closure of Brosterhous Road in both directions as crews worked for hours to free the rig.

^{Photo credit: KTVZ}

Bend Police said the crash happened at 1:43 p.m. on Brosterhous Road near Murphy Road and Caldera High School, a location known for repeated bridge strikes because the railroad overcrossing sits lower than many drivers expect. No injuries were reported, but police said the driver was cited.

^{Photo credit: KTVZ}

According to police on scene and BNSF officials, semi-trucks hit this bridge three to four times a year or more, though it is uncommon for a truck to get as firmly lodged as this one. A tow truck initially attempted to detach the tractor from the trailer, but crews could not separate them due to how tightly the unit was pinned under the bridge. Instead, recovery operators were forced to pull the entire tractor-trailer backward from behind, using a more forceful maneuver to try to dislodge it. As of 3:30 p.m., the semi had still not been fully cleared.

^{Photo credit: KTVZ}

BNSF said trains were routed away from the area until the semi could be removed and a BNSF bridge inspector could confirm the structure remained safe. Officials noted that the incident could have caused major rail disruptions if trains had been dependent on that route as their only option.

^{Photo credit: KTVZ}

The Murphy Road railroad bridge has a long history of major impacts. Officials recalled a 2012 collision that struck the bridge hard enough to shift the railroad tracks about three feet out of alignment, and another crash in later years involving a semi hauling 76 cattle, where four calves were killed when the load hit the low span.

^{Photo credit: KTVZ}

BNSF has previously asked the City of Bend to restrict trucks on Brosterhous due to recurring collisions, but city officials have said the railroad would have to move its line to eliminate the hazard.

Authorities said many bridge strikes happen at night, and in most cases the truck is towed away before police arrive, often within an hour or two—especially when the vehicle is not severely wedged. Officials again urged commercial drivers and anyone hauling tall loads to watch clearance signs carefully and use routes with adequate height to avoid turning the low bridge into another costly and dangerous shutdown.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.