News Summary
Residents in southwest Houston express concerns about a hazardous concrete hump on Willowbend Boulevard that poses a danger to drivers. The issue, marked by loud noise and lack of warning signage, has led to vehicles catching air as they cross the bump. Although temporary patches have been applied, residents advocate for a more permanent solution to improve road safety. Ongoing construction near U.S. 59 has also contributed to road disruptions, with officials assuring that repairs are part of a broader project expected to be completed by summer 2026.
Houston Residents Raise Concerns Over Hazardous Concrete Hump
Residents of a southwest Houston neighborhood are expressing concern regarding a concrete hump on Willowbend Boulevard that has become a danger to drivers. This hump spans all four lanes of the road between Manhattan Drive and Chimney Rock.
Nearby homeowner Alexis Townsend described the noise caused by the hump, stating it is “very loud.” Initially, Townsend viewed the recent asphalt patch applied to the road as an improvement, as it covered a large crack. However, after realizing the disruption caused by the hump, she became dissatisfied with the patch work. Observations have been made that while the posted speed limit on Willowbend Boulevard is 30 miles per hour, many drivers exceed this limit. The absence of any signage warning about the hump has led to unexpected surprises for drivers traveling at higher speeds, with some cars reportedly catching air as they cross over it, causing trailers and trucks to lift off the ground.
Last week, Houston Public Works applied the temporary asphalt patch to address a road buckle. A city spokesperson indicated that crews are scheduled to return to level out the hump soon. However, Townsend criticized the temporary fix, asserting that it may have created more problems than it solved. She advocates for a permanent solution that would restore tranquility to the area and eliminate the surprise lift-offs for drivers.
In addition, ongoing construction work on southbound U.S. 59 has resulted in a noticeable bump near the Westpark Tollway exit. The raised patch is attributed to the milling of existing asphalt to blend with new overlay work. Currently, there are no warning signs signaling these transitions created by the construction. A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Transportation confirmed that the discoloration on the highway stems from the milling and overlay process. The spokesperson assured the public that the roadwork is temporary and part of a broader construction project on I-69/U.S. 59.
The mill and overlay project, which commenced in April 2023, is expected to be completed by summer 2026. The ongoing construction includes repairs and upgrades to several bridges over Fountain View Drive, Chimney Rock Road, and Rice Avenue. Drivers are urged to exercise caution and adhere to upcoming construction signage as project work continues. Thus far, no accidents have been reported related to the transitions in the road.
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Additional Resources
- ABC13 News
- Wikipedia: Houston
- Houston Chronicle
- Google Search: Houston traffic issues
- Houston Chronicle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Houston
- ABC13 News
- Google News: Houston road construction
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