GALVESTON, Texas – Driving on streets and highways in the Houston area can be a challenge. Traffic jams are one thing, but potholes and buckled roads cause real headaches for drivers.
This year, roads have buckled twice already, most recently over the weekend in Galveston. The heat caused part of 77th Street and the seawall to expand and buckle, turning the pavement into a launching pad for unsuspecting drivers.
Texas Department of Transportation officials say the problem was heat-related and have since repaired the road.
While buckled roads grab headlines, potholes are a bigger issue across the Houston area. Drivers say they encounter dozens of potholes daily, especially on busy routes like Northbound 59 near the 610 interchange.
One driver said, “If you had to put a number to it? 30 plus. I’m driving around a lot for work.”
TXDOT spokesman Danny Perez explained that road problems usually come down to several factors: rain, traffic volume, heat and the age of the roadway.
“Some roadways, like 610, can see anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 vehicles a day,” Perez said. “It’s the high volume of traffic.”
He also noted that solutions vary by area. “What we do in Galveston County may not apply to Harris County. Roadway conditions and soil situations change.”
When asked about reimbursement for vehicle damage caused by potholes or buckled roads, TXDOT said it ultimately falls on the driver to pay or report damages to their insurance. However, officials encourage drivers to report road problems so they can be addressed.