TRANSPORTATIONUPDATES TxDOT: I45 southbound bridge over Cypress Creek closed indenitely
COMPILED BY HANNAH ZEDAKER
2021 marks second-deadliest year on Texas roads in more than 80 years More than 4,480 people were killed on Texas roads in 2021, making it the second-deadliest year since the Texas Department of Transportation began tracking fatalities in 1940. According to TxDOT ocials, the in- crease in fatalities is re ective of a na- tionwide trend. An estimated 20,160 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the rst half of 2021—an increase of 18.4% from 2020. In Texas, trac fatalities were up 15% from 2020-21. In hopes of curbing the trend, TxDOT will study roadway design features that are proven to save lives while us- ing crash data to pinpoint areas where drivers are more prone to crash. DEATH TOLL ON THE RISE 2021 marked the second-deadliest year on Texas roads since 1940.
Following an emergency closure March 23, the I-45 southbound exit ramp to FM 1960 and the southbound I-45 frontage road at Cypresswood Drive and Holzwarth Road will be closed indenitely, pending the total replacement of the southbound frontage road bridge over Cypress Creek, according to Texas Depart- ment of Transportation ocials. While TxDOT ocials had already planned to begin bridge reconstruc- tion in the rst quarter of 2022, TxDOT Public Information Ocer Danny Perez said the entity would typically prefer to keep the bridge open throughout construction to maintain trac capacity. In this case, however, he said that was not an option due to safety concerns. “We’ve all seen issues in other areas in other states where we have bridge collapses, and we just always want to make sure that safety is paramount,” Perez said. While an exact construction timeline has not yet been announced, Perez said the $6.7 million project
has already been contracted out to Arandas Brothers Construction Co. and may take up to two years to com- plete. However, Perez said ocials are hoping to expedite the project. “We understand the urgency to the community,” Perez said. According to TxDOT, motorists who would typically take the I-45 southbound exit ramp to FM 1960 should instead take the I-45 south- bound exit ramp to Richey Road and then U-turn to the I-45 northbound frontage road to reach FM 1960. Meanwhile, through trac is being detoured via the I-45 southbound main lanes, and local trac is being detoured via Cypress Oak Drive. “At this time, our plan is to keep the bridge closed—thus blocking I-45 southbound frontage road trac,” Perez said. In a March 25 news release, Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said motorists must follow the recommended detour routes unless they have ocial business passing the barrels.
Bridge replacement A contract was recently awarded to Arandas Brothers Construction Co. to replace the I-45 frontage road bridge over Cypress Creek. Timeline: TBD Cost: $6.7 million Funding source: TxDOT
45
1960
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1,522 : Speed related 1,219: Not wearing a seatbelt 1,739: Other
4,480 Total deaths:
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
“O-duty police ocers will be at the location to verify if you must pass the barrels to arrive to work,” the release reads. “If you attempt to pass the barrels—trac-control devices— you will be cited as it is a violation of the law.”
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF APRIL 4. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT SKLNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
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