Emergency Roadway Repairs Continues On Interstate-35E
CARROLLTON (CBSDFW.COM) - The record rain and cold is causing the pavement to come apart on roadways in parts of North Texas
A 125-foot long surface collapse or shifting of the highway surface happened on northbound Interstate-35E in Carrollton separated near Crosby Road.
The damaged highway led to at least five serious accidents, including one that involved a police vehicle responding to a crash in the area. The officer was not injured.
Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) say it's hard to know how long repairs will take.
Traffic on I-35E in Carrollton was reduced to only one lane until after the lunch hour on Wednesday, while crews worked to resurface and grind down the affected area. TxDOT switched the managed lanes to northbound to help relieve traffic congestion.
Officials told CBS 11 News the plan is for road workers to come back overnight, again closing two of the three lanes, and make a permanent fix to the roadway.
While there's no official word if the highway surface damage in Carrollton was caused by weather, there have been similar issues across North Texas. Potholes in several cities have resulted in popped tires, bent rims and frayed nerves for drivers.
Worker Alberto Reyes was attending to his 7th flat tire of the day when he spoke to CBS 11 News. He said with all the rain there have been issues across the metroplex. "I've been in Irving, Euless, Fort Worth. I've been all over.''
Drivers are being reminded to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of and alongside them, not to use cruise control on wet roads, and to make sure their tires have good tread and are properly inflated.