Overweight truck collapses bridge; driver issued ticket
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

Photo by Elmer Cavender A portion of this wooden bridge on CR 235 collapsed after an overweight truck drove over it on Wednesday.

First, a bridge burns down in Precinct 4. Now, one collapses in Precinct 2.

Though clearly unrelated, the unfortunate incidents are a stroke of bad luck - one that has left a particularly bad taste in the mouth of county commissioners.

"You could have a bridge epidemic," Precinct 2 Commissioner Chris King said.

"It wasn't a bridge that was on my list to be done just now."

The crossing, located on CR 235 above Peach Creek, has now become a priority.

On Wednesday, a crane operator from North Houston Pole Co. drove over the wooden bridge and just about totaled it, according to county officials.

The crane - which county licensing and weight enforcement Officer Mark Somer said weighed 170,000 pounds - did not mix well with the 12,500- pound rated bridge.

Signs posted on the bridge to share this weight limit with oncoming traffic were apparently ignored by the crane's operator.

"There are signs posted on both sides of the bridge. The signs were clearly marked," Somer said.

Somer said the driver was trying to avoid traveling on U.S. 59 and headed down CR 235 instead.

The company is reportedly participating in a power transmission line upgrade between Wharton and East Bernard.

King said the bridge began crumbling as the behemoth started over, but, thankfully, the vehicle had enough momentum to get it all the way across to safety. No injuries were reported.

"He's lucky the crane didn't end up at the bottom of Peach Creek," King said.

Somer issued the driver a citation for "over gross weight on bridge."

"The bridge was properly marked," he said.

The signs aren't there for decoration, King stressed, adding their weight limit is not just an arbitrary figure.

"There's a reason for it," he said.

Paying attention to a posted weight limit is as important as heeding a speed limit sign, added Lt. Daniel Marek of the Wharton County Sheriff's Department.

"It's not good. It affects a lot of people in that area," he said, referring to the driver ignoring the sign and taking out the bridge.

The bridge has since been closed, with an earthen "barricade" set up to hinder any other motorists who may have a tendency to ignore warning devices.

About a mile stretch of CR 235 has been closed, between CR 222 and CR 220.

King said a couple of residents who live inside that zone will still be able to get to their homes.

"The road has been closed and will remain closed until we mediate the problem with the (driver's) insurance company," King said.

The bridge was rebuilt in 1992.

"It's not that old," King said.