Concrete Flies as Overpass Struck in Schulenburg – Again

A piece of heavy equipment traveling on US 77 struck the top of the underpass in Schulenburg Wednesday afternoon, April 20.

The impact knocked down several chunks of concrete from the bridge overhead. Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department diverted traffic around the underpass until officials from the Texas Department of Trans portation (TxDOT) arrived to inspect the damage.

The underpass remained closed for about 45 minutes.

Lucean Kuykendall, spokesperson for TxDOT, said the load that struck the underpass exceeded the restricted height limit posted on the bridge clearance sign. The overhead bridge has been struck repeatedly in recent years.

“This is an important bridge restriction (for) TxDOT to improve and (we) have been evaluating options to remedy,” Kuykendall said. “In the short term, we are looking at supplementing the advance warning signage to detour large loads prior to approaching the low clearance. “

Kuykendall said TxDOT is also looking at long term plans and monitoring options to fund a project to improve or even eliminate the clearance issues at the Schulenburg underpass.