High Rising Red River Lips At I-35 Corridor Bridge
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GAINESVILLE (CBSDFW.COM) - Creeks, lakes and rivers overflowing their banks isn't just a problem in the counties in and around Dallas and Fort Worth. At one point on Friday, the Red River at the Oklahoma-Texas line rose to more than 17 feet over flood stage.
Just after lunchtime Friday, the Red River, which divides Texas from Oklahoma, was observed at 42.02 feet. Twenty-five feet is flood stage. Late Friday, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol told News Radio 1080 KRLD that they did not expect water to go over I-35.
Captain Paul Timmons with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said, "The interstate is open and we've got information from the [U.S. Army] Corps of Engineers that says that the river has crested and we don't expect it to get any higher."
While some people are still wary of traveling the highway, Timmons said officials are still keeping an eye on things. "We'll have Department of Transportation engineers there, monitoring the bridge to make sure that everything's good with the bridge."
In comments on the CBSDFW Facebook page, some expressed their concern. "[I] Wonder how much pressure that bridge can stand," said Jim Slayton. Amelia Phillips said, "That river freaks me out when it's low. I will not be driving over that now for sure!" You can give your comments here on our CBSDFW Facebook Page.
As it stands, officials with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) confirm I-35 is open at the Red River, but they are discouraging travel on I-35 in the southern part of the state and northern part of Texas. Get the list of Oklahoma highway closures due to flooding.
The Texas Department of Transportation is also monitoring the situation at the Red River. Drivers are being advised to get information on highway closures in northern Texas on the Drive Texas website.
ODOT has closed dozens of highway across Oklahoma because of flooding and flood damage. Northbound I-35 is also heavily congested in the Turner Falls area.
Besides the rising river, there were already travel problems on I-35 in Oklahoma. Crews had to shut down the NB lanes of I-35 in Murray County, because of a rock slide. Huge boulders fell from the side of the Arbuckle Mountains on Thursday.
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