US-290 westbound shut at Badtke after major early-morning crash

A major crash at US-290 westbound and Badtke shut the roadway at 1:20 AM on Thursday, September 3rd, forcing early-morning drivers into delays and triggering a full response from authorities.

The collision blocked westbound lanes during the pre-dawn hours. Responding officers worked to clear the debris and reopen the road. Drivers heading northwest were diverted around the incident site.

If you're heading toward the northwest segments of the region, FM 1960 and Cypress-Rosehill Road are your best bets to avoid the closure. For inner segments, Hempstead Road offers an alternative route.

This stretch of US-290 near Badtke has seen significant crash activity over time. According to state crash records from the Texas Department of Transportation, the corridor logged 164 crashes between January 2020 and the present—none fatal. Contributing factors as recorded by the investigating officer, per TxDOT CRIS, show "Failed To Control Speed" as the leading factor, cited in 50 crashes at the location. The hit-and-run rate in the area stands at 6.6%, accounting for 19 of the 288 units involved in crashes.

Harris County logged 17,105 incidents across all classifications in the past 30 days, with 17 fatalities. Conditions at the time of the crash were overcast and 81 degrees—typical overnight weather for early September.

Authorities were working to clear the wreckage and restore full traffic flow. Check real-time updates before you head out if you use this corridor regularly during early-morning hours.

Update (3:05 AM CT): The major crash at US-290 Northwest Westbound at Badtke, first reported at 1:20 AM, has cleared after approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. All lanes have reopened and normal traffic flow has resumed in the area.