Rig crash may close I-10 for weekend Truck spills tons of steel; damage includes hole and closes all lanes

An overturned 18-wheeler punched a hole in I-10 westbound on July 12, 2013. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle) An overturned 18-wheeler punched a hole in I-10 westbound on July 12, 2013. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle) Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Rig crash may close I-10 for weekend 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

All westbound lanes of Interstate 10 at the North Freeway are expected to be closed until Sunday morning as emergency crews repair the highway after an 18-wheeler overturned Friday afternoon.

The truck was hauling a 48,000-pound roll of steel when it flipped over about 2:30 p.m., said officials with the Texas Department of Transportation.

The driver lost his load, sending the truck and giant spool crashing onto the pavement. It caused "significant damage on multiple locations," officials said.

"Under the circumstances, we believe the pavement performed well and one could have expected there to be even greater damage than what we have," department spokeswoman Raquelle Lewis said in an email to the Houston Chronicle.

The driver had a laceration on his arm and was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center for treatment.

No other injuries were reported, officials said.

Emergency repairs

Even as officials assessed the damage, which included broken concrete and a large, gaping hole in the freeway, and made plans for "emergency full-depth repairs," they began the task of moving Friday afternoon commuters away from the scene.

The best bet, officials said, was to avoid the area altogether.

Motorists were advised to loop around the wreck, taking the East Loop to the southbound North Freeway then returning to westbound Interstate 10.

Drivers who didn't take that warning were diverted to the Southwest Freeway.

Officials said it was "possible" the contractor may complete the repairs earlier than the Sunday estimate.

"But, we certainly need to provide time for the prep work, the pavement work, the cure time and inspection," Lewis said in the email.