A Dallas bridge damaged in a fiery fuel tanker truck crash Sunday must be replaced, according to the state's top bridge engineer for the Dallas district.
An 18-wheeler tanker truck carrying gasoline caught fire after it collided with the retainer wall on eastbound U.S. 175 at Bexar Street in the southeast edge of downtown Dallas at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dallas police said.
The driver of the truck sustained minor scrapes, bumps and bruises and was transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation. There were no other injuries in the crash.
Cracks in the concrete had some people fearing the bridge could collapse.
After inspecting the structure Monday afternoon, Tony Okafor said the southbound U.S, 175 bridge to state Highway 310 is dangerous and must be demolished.
Southbound 175 traffic, which travels under the bridge, will remain detoured, perhaps for months.
The new bridge must be designed and a contractor hired for the work.
The northbound span that was less damaged may also have to be replaced to complete the job.
The spot is sometimes called "Dead Man's Curve" because of a history of accidents and the hard turn. It is ultimately slated to be straightened, and removed with construction of the proposed Trinity Parkway Tollroad.
However, final approval of that project could be years away and Okafor said the Texas Department of Transportation's immediate priority will be reopening the existing freeway to traffic.
