HOUSTON – The Houston Avenue bridge on I-10 was struck again by an 18-wheeler Sunday night.
Houston police said the heavy truck struck the bridge at 8:58 p.m.
No injuries have been reported.
The accident left road debris, which impacted two lanes on I-10, prompting traffic.
According to TxDOT, this will be strike 72 the bridge has taken this year. Officials said only eight strikes were investigated by police.
TxDOT released the following statement:
“Unfortunately, many semi-trucks and oversized loads are either operating without the necessary permits that designate approved travel routes or are deliberately ignoring those routes in favor of shortcuts. 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 the need to exit.
“Inspectors are sent out to evaluate and inspect the bridge after every hit.”
In September, crews perform emergency repairs on the Houston Avenue bridge.
The Houston Avenue bridge is scheduled for demolition in early 2027 as part of the I-10 White Oak Bayou elevation project. It will be rebuilt to run under I-10.
For Houston Councilmember Mario Castillo, that’s too long to wait, as collisions like these aren’t slowing down.
“I’ve reached out to TxDOT to address the ongoing issues with the Houston Avenue bridge,” the councilmember said. “This is part of the daily commute for thousands of Houstonians, crashes like this impact their lives, and put them at serious risk. While recent maintenance efforts are appreciated, it’s clear this is a much larger challenge that requires immediate action. Waiting until 2027 for a permanent fix isn’t an option, 72 crashes this year shows us things will only get worse. I’m committed to working collaboratively with TxDOT to prioritize maintenance and safety measures for the benefit of the entire city.”