A crash shut lanes on I-45 Gulf northbound at SH-3/Monroe Road around 9:42 AM Wednesday morning, adding to a concerning buildup at this stretch.
The northbound roadway took the hit, and backups formed quickly as crews worked the scene. If you're heading north on the Gulf Freeway through this area, expect delays. The Hardy Toll Road, SH-249 to the northwest, or local routes via Airline Drive will get you around it.
This intersection is no stranger to collisions. According to LTA data, the corridor logged 19 incidents over the past 30 days—15 of them major. The real-time incident database shows 39 total crashes in the past 90 days at this location, with 29 classified as major. Over a 12-month span, the numbers climb to 88 total incidents, including 48 major crashes and 2 fatalities.
When you zoom out further, state crash records paint a fuller picture. According to TxDOT CRIS public crash records, this quarter-mile stretch has seen 337 crashes since January 2020, including 4 fatalities. Contributing factors as recorded by the investigating officer, per TxDOT CRIS, show "Failed To Control Speed" as the leading factor, cited in 131 crashes. The hit-and-run rate at this corridor sits at 11.7 percent—78 of 665 units involved in crashes here were not located at the scene.
Tuesday is historically the busiest day for crashes at this location, with 8 incidents recorded over 90 days. While the 4–5 PM window sees the highest single-hour concentration with 5 crashes, collisions here occur at varied times rather than clustering in one narrow window.
The scene is active. Check real-time traffic apps for current conditions and estimated clear times. Scattered clouds and 87 degrees made for typical Wednesday weather, but that doesn't stop the collision count at this corridor. Stay alert if you're using local alternate routes—Airline Drive can back up during morning peaks, and SH-249 northwest may absorb some volume. The Hardy Toll Road is your fastest bypass if you're willing to pay the toll.
Keep your speed controlled out there. The numbers speak for themselves at this stretch.
Sources: TxDOT Crash Records Information System and Local Traffic Accidents database. Counts through September 12, 2026.
This report was produced by LTA's editor-designed production system under the executive editorial direction of Dennis R. Mundy, Executive Editor. The system combines our proprietary data pipeline with AI-assisted drafting to deliver verified incident coverage to LTA's editorial standards.