A Child Destroyed a Texas Interchange and TxDOT Was Thrilled With It
This past weekend, the fantasy of every small child became a reality for a 6-year-old leukemia survivor in Texas.
As Texas is the world's capital for road construction, the interchange between US 183 and I-35 in Austin is in the process of being upgraded. TxDOT is building a new interchange that is shorter and "less steep" for drivers. I'm sorry, but I kind of like those interchanges that bring me to dizzying heights, and then let me fly down to the freeway like a fighter pilot. That's the kid in me.
However, when it came time to take down the existing sections of roadway to facilitate the new interchange, TxDOT went with an expert in demolitions who would most effectively do this hazardous job.
A 6-year-old boy.
According to KXAN in Austin, TxDOT teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and gave the task to a young man named Archer. With a name like that, this kid has a future.
Just after 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 15th, Archer was given the opportunity to press the button that brought down the overpass, turning it into a pile of rubble. Which is every 6-year-olds dream. According to KXAN, Archer was pretty pleased with his result:
“I blew up a bridge,” said Archer on Saturday morning. “It was fun and it was loud!”
I'm sure that every little boy who ever spent time playing with toys, would delight in building giant LEGO structures, only to gleefully channel their inner Godzilla and knock them down with impunity. It's what kids do, and it's cool that Archer was able to scale up his destructive footprint.
Kudos to TxDOT and Make-A-Wish for giving this young man the thrill of a lifetime.