HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Avenue bridge over Interstate 10 near downtown Houston has been a notorious spot for 18-wheeler accidents due to its low clearance. Trucks frequently strike the bridge with loads that are too high, causing wrecks and backups and posing a danger to drivers.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports that the current bridge height is 14 feet 3 inches, which is significantly lower than the current freight standard of 18 feet 6 inches. Despite TxDOT’s height restriction warnings, accidents continue to occur, with 23 reported bridge strikes in 2023 and already 46 in 2024.
In response, TxDOT is addressing this issue as part of a larger project aimed at solving another problem: frequent flooding, such as the recent Hurricane Beryl and previous storms like Harvey and Allison. This project, known as The White Oak Bayou Project, involves raising the elevation of I-10 above the White Oak Bayou flood plain between Heights Boulevard and Interstate 45.
Instead of replacing the Houston Avenue bridge, the project will elevate I-10 to pass over Houston Avenue, eliminating the risk of bridge strikes and addressing flooding issues. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of 2024 and will take about 12 months. This initial phase will also include similar changes for Yale and Studemont streets, with the entire area expected to be under construction until late 2028 or early 2029.
