HOUSTON – Buffalo Speedway exits will be closed in both directions at Highway 59 starting Wednesday after the morning rush.
The construction project will last 30 days.
"It's gonna back 59 up terribly, it's going to be pretty bad," commuter Adam Harper said.
The Southwest Freeway north and southbound frontage roads at Buffalo Speedway will remain open. However, only one through-lane will be available at the intersection while the left lane will be used for U-turns only and the right lane will be used for turning right onto Buffalo Speedway.
Accordingly, motorists traveling northbound on Buffalo Speedway will be detoured to the US 59 northbound frontage road, U-turn at Kirby Drive, follow the US 59 southbound frontage road to Buffalo Speedway. Those traveling southbound will be detoured to the US 59 southbound frontage road, U-turn at Weslayan Street, follow the US 59 northbound frontage road to Buffalo Speedway.
"It'll stink," driver Mike Ojala said. "I'll be griping on the way home, but I guess it's a necessary evil."
The Texas Department of Transportation says Houston Police will be on site and traffic lights adjusted to try to smooth out what will be a rough ride for commuters.
TxDot will pay the contractor up to $70,000 if they finish a majority of the project before Nov. 21, but if the work continues beyond that date the contractor faces a penalty of $10,000 a day.