HOUSTON – Part of the Spur 527 bridge was closed Monday near Midtown while crews conduct repairs that are expected to take months.
Officials said a section of the bridge that spans Smith and Holman streets was closed after pieces of the deck began falling to the ground below.
Traffic is being detoured to Travis or Louisiana streets while the repairs are being completed.
According to Houston Public Works, the 660-foot-long Brazos Bridge, which was built in 1969, and has deteriorated significantly. Pictures shared by officials showed a large hole in the bridge’s deck.
Commuters and residents in the area said the delay caused by construction will be a headache.
Matt Garner said the sudden closure is going to affect his commute daily.
“It’s now going to add 10 to 15 minutes to my commute every day,” Garner said.
Sean Blair, owner of Maple Leaf restaurant near the Brazos Bridge, said the yearlong closure will negatively impact his business.
“The Brazos Bridge is a main artery into midtown so it will definitely impact my business,” Blair said.