HOUSTON, TX — Texas drivers heading into the weekend should expect delays on several major Houston-area roads as TxDOT puts multiple closures in place, including a full shutdown of northbound US-59 in Fort Bend County.
The agency said the work is set to affect both freeway and ramp traffic from Friday night through Monday morning. Some closures will run overnight only, while others will remain in place for most of the weekend.
TxDOT warned motorists to plan ahead and use alternate routes where possible, especially if they travel through the Southwest Freeway, East Beltway 8, or the East Freeway corridor.
Northbound US-59 will shut down between Williams Trace and Kirkwood
According to TxDOT, the northbound lanes of US-59 in Fort Bend County are expected to close between Williams Trace Boulevard and Kirkwood Drive. The closure is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Friday and continue until 5 a.m. Monday.
Drivers who normally stay on the Southwest Freeway will need to exit at 112 for US-90A, then use the entrance ramp at West Airport/Kirkwood Drive to get back on northbound traffic. TxDOT said that is the planned detour for the weekend work.
The closure affects a major commuter route west of Houston, where weekend traffic can still build quickly even outside the weekday rush. Motorists are being urged to allow extra time if they need to travel through the area.
South Beltway 8 ramp at SH-225 will remain closed most of the weekend
TxDOT also said the southbound exit ramp on East Beltway 8 at SH-225 will be closed continuously beginning at 5 a.m. Saturday. The ramp is expected to stay shut until 11 p.m. Sunday.
During that time, traffic will be detoured to exit at Red Bluff and Pasadena Boulevard instead. That change is expected to affect drivers moving through the eastern side of the Houston region, particularly those heading toward Pasadena.
The agency did not say the closure would happen only at certain times of day, which means drivers should treat it as a full weekend disruption for that ramp connection.
Three outside lanes on the East Freeway will close nightly
Additional lane restrictions are set for the East Freeway, where TxDOT said three outside lanes will be closed westbound each night through the weekend. Those closures are scheduled from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The nightly work window begins Friday evening and runs until Monday morning. That means drivers who travel late at night or before sunrise should expect reduced capacity on that stretch of freeway.
Because the closures happen during overnight hours, traffic impacts may vary from night to night, but TxDOT said the lane restrictions will remain in place throughout the weekend period.
Weekend roadwork could slow freight, commuters and local traffic
The combination of a full freeway closure, a long-lasting ramp shutdown and nightly lane restrictions could create slower conditions across several parts of the Houston metro area. The closures touch routes used by commuters, freight traffic and local drivers alike.
Even though some of the work is limited to overnight hours, the northbound US-59 closure and the East Beltway 8 ramp shutdown are long enough to affect early-morning and late-night travel plans. TxDOT’s detours are intended to keep traffic moving, but they may also send vehicles onto surface streets.
Drivers using these corridors should check their route before leaving and be prepared for delays if they are traveling through Fort Bend County, Pasadena or the East Freeway area.
TxDOT advises drivers to follow posted detour signs
TxDOT said drivers should use the posted detour routes and pay attention to construction signs near the affected roadways. The agency’s guidance is especially important where highway traffic must leave the main lanes and re-enter through alternate ramps.
For northbound US-59, that means using Exit 112 for US-90A and returning via West Airport/Kirkwood Drive. For the East Beltway 8 ramp closure, the alternate route is Red Bluff and Pasadena Boulevard.
Anyone traveling overnight or early Sunday morning may want to add extra travel time, since multiple projects are affecting nearby highways at the same time.
