Failed bridge joints cause 281 nightmare

Failed bridge joints on U.S. 281 southbound over Jones Maltsberger near the Alamo Quarry Market caused traffic delays early Tuesday morning July 17, 2012. Traffic in the area slowed down to one lane and backed up between Nakoma and Hildebrand because of the road failure. John Davenport/San Antonio Express-News less Failed bridge joints on U.S. 281 southbound over Jones Maltsberger near the Alamo Quarry Market caused traffic delays early Tuesday morning July 17, 2012. Traffic in the area slowed down to one lane and backed ... more Photo: John Davenport/San Antonio Express-News Photo: John Davenport/San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Failed bridge joints cause 281 nightmare 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

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.

According to a TxDOT news release, crews began doing header joint repair and sealant work on the two left lanes of southbound U.S. 281 at Jones Maltsberger Road on Monday night.

The material crews used apparently “didn't stick,” Lopez said, possibly because of moisture or how it was installed.

The problem became apparent when morning traffic picked up, she said.

“The material itself didn't set well, and it popped,” Lopez said, adding, “It can actually crumble. The concrete can start disheveling.”

Plans are for the work to continue every night this week, she said.

TxDOT contracted the project to Clark Construction of Texas Ltd., which hired subcontractor SCR Construction Co. Inc. to do the work. TxDOT regularly contracts out these kinds of jobs, Lopez said.

Lopez said the 281 failure would “have to be investigated.”

aley@express-news.net

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