HOUSTON — A road hazard and a major crash caused a traffic headache on the North Freeway in the Spring area.
The first issue was an exposed expansion joint that appears to have damaged roughly two dozen vehicles with flat tires. According to Houston Transtar, this started just after 5:30 a.m. heading south, or inbound, near Spring Cypress.
Drivers were pulling off onto the shoulder and feeder road leading to a backup.
Crews with the Texas Department of Transportation were able to fix the joint following rush hour traffic.
There was also a rollover crash involving an 18-wheeler in the HOV lane heading north, or outbound, near Airtex Boulevard. That crash, which happened just before 6 a.m., is affecting traffic heading in both directions. Sherif Ed Gonzalez said the big rig was traveling northbound, hit a vehicle, and flipped over into the HOV lane. The vehicle had two people inside. They were taken to a hospital. The extent of their injuries was unknown.
Gonzalez said the 18-wheeler was carrying packages and didn't appear to hauling anything hazardous. TxDOT will repair the concrete barrier once the truck is hauled away.
KHOU 11 traffic expert Jennifer Reyna recommended drivers take the Hardy Toll Road to avoid both incidents.
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