Houston: The future of the iconic bridge on I-45 remains in question after artist was charged with a felony for painting over it

Houston, Texas (KTRK) – If you live in Houston, you know the “Be Someone” bridge on I-45.

The bridge and its message have been painted many times, but after an artist is charged with a felony for doing so, many are wondering about the future of the bridge.

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Union Pacific owns the railroad and officials there say tagging the bridge is illegal and dangerous.

Eyewitness News doesn’t know how many different people have tagged the bridge over the years, but we’ve interviewed the original tagger in the past, and he’s never been charged with a crime.

The Harris County District Attorney’s office has now charged an artist named Chandrika Metivier with felony graffiti for painting on the bridge at least twice this year and last year.

The charge comes after a Union Pacific police investigation.

Union Pacific hasn’t told ABC13 if other artists will be charged in the future to do the same, and the DA’s office doesn’t have a good answer on that either.

RELATED: Graffiti of the bridge in downtown Houston may disappear forever after recent vandalism

Metivier hasn’t returned our calls or messages, but it looks like it’s starting a file GoFundMe to pay legal costs.

So far, she has collected about $7,600 for a lawyer and potential fines.

In it, the artist calls the charge unjustified and says it contradicts the city’s initiatives to embrace public art.

No arrests have been made at this point.

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