The usual congestion characterizing rush hour in downtown Dallas took on an unprecedented twist on Tuesday afternoon.
Traffic came to a standstill on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge due to a music video shoot featuring Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug and country artist Shaboozey.
The iconic bridge, known for its striking white arch and picturesque backdrop of the downtown skyline, became the backdrop for the filming, which was permitted through the city of Dallas’ Office of Special Events.
However, the event did not appear on the office’s public event calendar, leaving many drivers unaware of the traffic disruption.
In the wake of the incident, some frustrated motorists expressed their irritation on social media, while others found the star-studded affair intriguing.
Alice Rios, a spokesperson for the city, indicated that inquiries regarding the closure should be directed to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which had issued the filming permit.
Tony Hartzel, a TxDOT spokesperson, confirmed that the closure permit was approved back in June.
Hartzel noted that the permit was based on a closure plan coordinated with city officials and police.
Despite the advanced approval, questions remained regarding the traffic advisory that should have been issued in advance of the closure.
Residents caught in the traffic snarl shared their experiences with The Dallas Morning News.
Matthew Nunes, 29, who was traveling to a medical appointment in North Dallas, found himself detoured from the bridge.
He described the police blocking off the eastbound side of the bridge as unusual.
“I’ve never seen police close a scene off except for investigation,” Nunes said.
Ultimately, Nunes canceled his appointment and returned home instead.
Fellow Dallasite Gina Wolk had similar concerns.
While trying to turn onto the bridge from Singleton Boulevard around 1 p.m., she encountered a barricade.
“Wouldn’t the weekend be smarter?” she proposed, criticizing the weekday closure.
Wolk referred to the bridge as a “prime thoroughfare” and expressed that the timing of the shoot could have been reconsidered.
“It wasn’t that big a deal for me,” she stated, “but if I’d been punching a time clock, it would have been really upsetting.”
By late afternoon around 3 or 4 p.m., Oak Cliff resident Jesse Sanchez found himself caught in traffic while merging onto I-30.
After a smooth drive, he was halted on the bridge for approximately 30 minutes.
Sanchez documented the moment, capturing a video showcasing Shaboozey performing on a flatbed truck amidst the stalled traffic.
Describing the experience, he remarked, “I personally didn’t see anything wrong with [it].
“I actually thought it was pretty cool,” he added, expressing his enthusiasm for the filming of a music video featuring his favorite artists.
As the dust settles on this unusual traffic incident, it remains to be seen if future events will be better communicated to prevent similar disruptions during peak commute times.
image source from：dallasnews
