Texas highway photographs

Interstate 10, Trinity River to Winnie (SH 73)

In September 2001, I-10 crossed the Trinity River on a narrow bridge while nearby sections had already been widened. These photographs move east toward Winnie, then visit the Texas 124 crossing of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Created and last updated November 3, 2001

Photographer not stated on original page

The Trinity River crossing was still a narrow bridge in 2001.

Trinity River to Winnie

Photos taken 8-September-2001 and proceed from west to east

Eastbound I-10 bridge over the Lost and Old Rivers — Photographer not stated on original page
Lost and Old Rivers bridge
Looking east at the bridge across the Lost and Old Rivers. In the background, the Trinity River Bridge can be seen. This bridge is a modern structure (not the original structure), and is wide enough for six lanes. However, part of the bridge deck is striped of and only four lanes are used.

Narrow I-10 Trinity River bridge from the west — Photographer not stated on original page
Trinity River bridge from the west
The Trinity River bridge. This is the original narrow bridge, dating from the 1950's.

Second view of the narrow Trinity River bridge — Photographer not stated on original page
Another view of the Trinity River bridge
Another view of the bridge. This area was mosquito infested.

I-10 eastbound lanes at the Trinity River bridge entrance — Photographer not stated on original page
Eastern approach to the Trinity River bridge
Looking eastbound at the start of the bridge. Very narrow.

Westbound driver's view along the Trinity River bridge — Photographer not stated on original page
Driver's view on the bridge
Driver's view going westbound on the bridge.

I-10 looking west from the FM 1410 overpass — Photographer not stated on original page
West from FM 1410
Looking west from the FM 1410 overpass.

I-10 looking west from the FM 1724 overpass — Photographer not stated on original page
West from FM 1724
Looking west from the FM 1724 overpass.

Texas 124 bridge above the Intracoastal Waterway — Photographer not stated on original page
Texas 124 Intracoastal crossing
This is not a view from Interstate 10, but it is near Interstate 10 so I included it. This is the Texas 124 crossing of the Intracoastal Waterway about 15 miles south of Interstate 10. Just in case you're wondering, this is what the Intracoastal Waterway looks like.

Westward view along the Intracoastal Waterway from Texas 124 — Photographer not stated on original page
Intracoastal Waterway looking west
This view looks west along the intracoastal waterway from the 124 bridge.

From the original archive

Interstate 10, Trinity River to Winnie (SH 73)

Interstate 10, Trinity River to Winnie (SH73)

Create and last updated November 3, 2001

Also see: Interstate 10 Comfort to Kerrville | Interstate 10 Kerrville to Junction

This section of Interstate 10 traverses the coastal plain east of Houston. It was originally state highway 73, and was one of Texas' first rural highways built to interstate standards in the 1950's. Most of this section has been reconstructed to a modern six-lane facility in the last 10-15 years. However, the Trinity River Bridge is still the original, substandard bridge dating from the 1950's. The TxDOT unified transportation plan (UTP) shows a $40 million bridge replacement project, as well as several other projects to upgrade adjacent 4-lane sections to 6 lanes. However, the bridge and most of the expansion projects are unfunded, so they will not start construction within 5 years.

The surrounding landscape of this section of Interstate 10 is mostly pasture, but there are some patches of forest. This region receives 50-55 inches of rain per year, one of the wettest regions of Texas.

Original Interstate 10, Trinity River to Winnie (SH 73) locator map — Original archive location map

Trinity River to Winnie

Lost and Old Rivers bridge

Trinity River bridge from the west

Another view of the Trinity River bridge

Eastern approach to the Trinity River bridge

Driver's view on the bridge

West from FM 1410

West from FM 1724

Texas 124 Intracoastal crossing

Intracoastal Waterway looking west

Interstate 10, Trinity River to Winnie (SH 73)

Interstate 10, Trinity River to Winnie (SH73)