Houston Avenue Bridge Hit 68 Times This Year; Driver Cited for No CDL

Frequent Bridge Strikes

• ⚠️ The Houston Avenue bridge over I-10 in Houston has been struck 68 times this year alone.
• 💥 Two recent incidents occurred within the past week, with one crash sending debris flying into a driver's windshield.

Driver's Experience and Concerns

• 🤕 Robin Hackett narrowly escaped serious injury when an excavator on a flatbed hit the bridge, causing debris and hydraulic fluid to enter her vehicle.
• 🗣️ Hackett expressed a strong desire for change, emphasizing the potential for fatalities if such incidents involve passengers.
• ⚖️ She advocates for stricter fines for truck drivers operating without necessary clearance permits.

Long-Term Solution and Timeline

• 🏗️ TxDOT is undertaking a long-term project, the I-10 White Oak Bayou project, to elevate I-10 lanes above the Houston Avenue bridge.
• ⏳ However, this construction is not expected to be completed until mid-2028, a timeline Hackett finds excessively long.

Driver Citation and Future Events

• 🚨 In the most recent incident, the driver was cited by Houston police for hitting the bridge and for not possessing a CDL license.
• ⚽ TxDOT plans to manage messaging and minimize lane closures during the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Houston next summer, despite ongoing construction.