What began as a damaged pedestrian bridge evolved into a neighborhood flashpoint, complete with a graffiti-covered sign that chronicled residents’ frustrations. Now, after a year-long closure, the bridge has officially reopened.
The bridge, located near Interstate 10 and the White Oak Bayou, is part of the popular network of trails used by runners, cyclists and pedestrians across Houston.
Just weeks before the reopening, the shuttered bridge bore a graffiti plea directed at project leaders: “WEBBER TxDOT FIX OUR BRIDGE NOW!” A photo of the sign surfaced in a Heights Facebook group, where residents talked about the structures’ extended closure.
The MKT Bridge reportedly closed in January 2025 after construction equipment from renovations on I-10 floated towards the bridge during a rain event and struck it, causing damage to the columns, TxDOT told Chron in March. The bridge was partially demolished, which also led to the closure of the trails below it, according to Community Impact.
Repairs finally kicked off this February and were expected to last between four and six weeks. But it isn’t the first time the bridge has closed to undergo repairs. The bridge also closed for repairs in August 2020 after a fire, reopening again in May 2022, according to the Chronicle.