November 26, 2014
Texas

Crash snarls Eastex Freeway in northeast Houston

By Dale Lezon, Craig Hlavaty | Houston Chronicle | November 24, 2014 | www.chron.com

Traffic was snarled Monday afternoon on U.S. 59 in northeast Houston after a piece of a wind turbine fell off a big rig during a crash.

The mishap happened about 1 p.m. on the northbound Eastex Freeway near the North Loop, according to Houston TranStar.

Officials say the massive piece of piping on the highway is a windmill tower. The structure weighs 110,000 lbs.

Five vehicles, including the big rig were involved in the crash. Officials said at least one person was rushed to a nearby hospital after the wreck, but information about the pesron’s injuries and condtion were not available.

Intially, four lanes were blocked, but officials said the freeway could be shutdown while crews cleared the scene.

Houston TranStar reports that nearby HOV lanes are open but they say an all-clear could be hours away, after the rush hour period. There are no northbound lanes open at that part of the freeway.

A large crane will be needed to move the piece of turbine and that can take some time, TranStar said.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/11/26/crash-snarls-eastex-freeway-in-northeast-houston/