HOUSTON — It may not get more Houston than the Houston Avenue bridge over I-10 getting struck by a passing truck.
Friday morning, a truck hauling a big piece of mechanical equipment hit the bridge just in time for rush hour traffic.
It prompted a major delay that lasted hours.
According to TxDOT, this one bridge has been struck at least 46 times so far this year.
And that doesn't include Friday's strike.
"Apparently, the reason we have too many problems at this bridge... It’s the lowest bridge in the Houston area,” a Houston Police official said after another recent strike.
TxDOT told us the Houston Avenue bridge is the lowest along this portion of I-10 at 14 feet, 3 inches.
That's just three inches above the national regulation requirement.
And while most semis may easily clear the bridge, the freight they haul can be significantly higher.
“I know that it’s easy to take I-10, but you know, you have to check," TxDOT spokesperson Kris Hadley said. "You know, get the permits and check to make sure that you have that clearance.”
Next year, construction begins on the so-called I-10/White Oak Bayou project which will overhaul the entire stretch of I-10 from I-45 to Heights Boulevard.
That will result in, among other things, higher lanes above a detention basin.
Houston Avenue will run under the new I-10 lanes rather than over them.
"So, that will alleviate all bridge strikes,” Hadley said.
There are other bridges known for getting hit as well. In fact, TxDOT will be making repairs on bridges along the I-10 East Freeway beginning next weekend.