Category: News

Failed bridge joints cause 281 nightmare
By Ana Ley and Vianna Davila
Updated 12:51 a.m., Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Southbound rush-hour traffic on U.S. 281 was snarled Tuesday morning after failed bridge joints tore up concrete in two lanes of the freeway near the Alamo Quarry Market.

The left and center lanes of 281 were closed for several hours, backing up traffic past San Antonio International Airport.

The on-ramp at Jones Maltsberger Road also was closed, tying up the southbound access road.

All lanes of U.S. 281 and the on-ramp were reopened by 11:15 a.m.

The mess was cleared just in time for President Barack Obama's motorcade from the airport to the Convention Center for a fundraising rally.

At one point, at least 10 disabled vehicles were stalled on the side of 281, damaged by chunks of pavement torn up at the failed header joint.

A TxDOT crew patched the problem.

Texas Department of Transportation spokeswoman Laura Lopez said the failure occurred because of overnight work at the bridge.

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Nightmare-on-281-over-3713114.php#ixzz21HsEfGRA