Multiple eastbound lanes of the Katy Freeway are blocked near the bridge while workers clear the mess left from the jackknifed truck.
HOUSTON — Here we go again.
Another truck struck the Houston Avenue bridge over I-10 on Thursday morning, causing the big rig to jackknife and lose its load.
The crash happened just after 10 a.m., according to Houston TranStar. They say the right shoulder, right lane and two center lanes are blocked as crews clean up the mess.
Traffic is backed up even more than usual.
Similar accidents at the same bridge have happened dozens of times.
The Houston Avenue bridge is the lowest along this portion of I-10 at 14 feet, 3 inches, TxDOT told KHOU 11 in a previous story. That’s just three inches above the national regulation requirement.
“Apparently, the reason we have too many problems at this bridge… It’s the lowest bridge in the Houston area,” the Houston Police Department told us in 2024 after another strike.
And while most semis may easily clear the bridge, the freight they haul can be significantly higher.
“I know that it’s easy to take I-10, but you know, you have to check,” TxDOT spokesperson Kris Hadley said. “You know, get the permits and check to make sure that you have that clearance.”
Construction is underway on the I-10/White Oak Bayou project, which will overhaul the entire stretch of I-10 from I-45 to Heights Boulevard.
That will result in, among other things, higher lanes above a detention basin.
Houston Avenue will run under the new I-10 lanes rather than over them.
“So, that will alleviate all bridge strikes,” Hadley said.
Main alternate routes into downtown
- Southwest Freeway inbound: Take I-610 West Loop northbound to merge onto US-59/I-69 and continue inbound into downtown.
- Highway 290 inbound: Use I-610 North Loop eastbound to connect to I-45 South into downtown.
- I-610 West Loop: Take southbound I-610 to merge onto US-59/I-69 into downtown as a bypass.
Surface street alternates near the incident
- Washington Ave. / Memorial Dr.: Exit earlier (around Westcott or Shepherd) and take Washington Ave. or Memorial Dr. inbound into downtown.
- Old Katy Rd. / Washington Ave.: From west of the 610 Loop, Old Katy Rd. feeds directly into Washington Ave. toward downtown.
- Allen Pkwy. Inbound: Exit Shepherd/Durham, take Allen Pkwy eastbound directly into downtown.
Quick local bypass (closer in)
- Exit Studemont or Taylor before the crash: Use local streets (Washington Ave., Center St., or Memorial Dr.) to bypass the blocked lanes and reconnect downtown.