Lanes reopen on I-45 NB after pothole repairs snarl traffic

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A large pothole caused several tire blowouts and a major traffic backup on northbound I-45 between Rayford and Hardy Toll Road Wednesday morning.[br /][br /]Contractors had started repairing the large hole by 11 a.m. It measured seven feet across and 10 feet long. The cement had crumbled away from the rebar, exposing a view of Spring Creek below.[br /][Ads /][br /]SkyEye was over the scene as officers evaluated the hole.[br /][media ID="1767004" /][br /][br /][twitter ID="834378907147186176" /][br /]A spokesperson with TxDOT says this is not a quick fix. Contractors put down new rebar and concrete.[br /][br /]The process took several hours and lasted into the evening commute.[br /][br /]Eyewitness News reporter Courtney Fischer spoke to a driver who said she called and complained about the pothole. Several other people have also expressed frustration about it, saying they have seen it before.[br /][br /]"I called that in before it got big," said Janet Carr, who blew two tires crossing the hole. "I've hit it before, but this morning it was just huge. My whole tire sunk down in it."[br /][Ads /][br /]TxDOT could not confirm if the agency received a call from Carr or if anyone else filed complaints. The spokesperson said they're looking into it.[br /][br /]If you had damage from the pothole this morning, you can submit a claim on the [url HREF="http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/contact-us/complaints.html[br /]" TARGET="" REL=""]TxDOT website[/url].[br /][br /]TxDOT says they cannot guarantee they will pay for the damage to your car or SUV, but each situation is considered on a case by case basis.[br /][media ID="1766929" /][br /][br /][b]Keep checking back on this page to get real-time updates as this story unfolds. To get alerts for breaking news, download the [url HREF="http://abc13.com/apps" TARGET="" REL=""]ABC13 news app[/url] for [url HREF="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/abc13-houston/id407345290?mt=8" TARGET="" REL=""]iPhone[/url] or [url HREF="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abclocal.ktrk.news" TARGET="" REL=""]Android[/url]. You can also get breaking news alerts [url HREF="http://abc13.com/newsletters/" TARGET="" REL=""]sent to you by email[/url].[/b]