The bridge over I-10 was struck three times in the past week.
HOUSTON — It’s not a winning streak, but the Houston Avenue bridge has taken the beating. It’s been hit three times in less than a week. TxDOT says many improperly permitted drivers are to blame.
TxDOT says leading up to this bridge are three heavy load detection systems. They go off with lights and signs when activated, but somehow the bridge keeps getting hit. Drivers fear the next one could cause more than just damage.
The Houston Avenue bridge over Interstate 10 has been struck by vehicles three times in less than a week, bringing the total number of bridge strikes to 69 since construction began on the White Oak I-10 expansion project in January, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
TxDOT officials say many improperly permitted drivers are to blame for the frequent collisions with the bridge, which sits above the eastbound lanes of I-10. The recent surge in strikes coincides with construction that shut down the final exit at Taylor Street as part of the ongoing expansion project.
“I’ve been here for almost 40 years and never heard or saw anything like this year. It’s ridiculous,” said Nancy Gonzalez, a longtime Houston driver who has witnessed the escalating problem.
Despite safety measures in place, vehicles continue to collide with the bridge structure. TxDOT has installed three heavy load detection systems leading up to the bridge that activate lights and warning signs when oversized vehicles are detected.
“To alleviate this, the area is equipped with 3 oversized load detection systems eastbound and westbound and advanced warning signage. When an oversized load is detected, the system activates flashing warning signs to alert the drivers that they need to exit,” TxDOT said in a statement.
However, the warning systems appear to be insufficient in preventing strikes. Of the 69 detected strikes this year, only seven have been investigated by police, according to TxDOT. The agency reports that many trucks and oversized loads are traveling through the area without proper permits that would show approved travel routes, with drivers apparently choosing shorter routes over compliance with regulations.
The repeated strikes have raised safety concerns among local residents. One of the three recent accidents caused damage to a driver’s vehicle.
“There’s a fear in the back of your mind right now yes definitely and right now with all the construction and the traffic regardless of the time of day,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez, who lives on the near north side, says she now avoids the area entirely. “I don’t even drive that way because I know my area I go through the back streets,” she explained.
The traffic problems caused by the construction project appear to be continuous, regardless of the time of day, according to local drivers. Gonzalez expressed frustration about the ongoing situation and called for immediate action.
“Unfortunately until somebody dies and then they’re gonna want to fix it. This needs to be fixed now. More like yesterday,” she said.
The current issues may be temporary, as the I-10 expansion project plans call for removing the Houston Avenue bridge entirely and running it below the highway instead. However, that work is not expected to begin until 2027, meaning the bridge strikes could continue for several more years under current conditions.
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