HOUSTON – For a second day, Houston drivers experienced slow commutes as they tried to avoid closed and flooded roads.
“It’s horrendous,” said commuter Fred Nilson.
“My normal commute is usually 30 minutes leaving at a good time. It took me two hours,” said John Schneider.
Every freeway from the Southwest Freeway, West Park Toll Road, West Beltway 8, West Loop and Northwest Freeway was jam packed.
“Two hours and a half. It was horrible. I like, 'Oh my God.' It was absolutely horrendous, but welcome to Houston,” Yolanda Izaguirre said.
Crews closed major roads because of flooding after Hurricane Harvey.
Drivers were using other freeways, frontage roads and side streets.
“I have a landscape company so it’s really hard to get around from point A to point B. It probably takes two hours to get three exits up,” said Deanna Tilotta.
A couple of the big closures include Highway 6 at the Katy Freeway, along with the feeders in West Houston and Beltway 8 near the City Centre.
“I went down and did a U-turn. There’s no way I’m sitting in this,” said Kendall Perrine.
Motorists said for the time being, they'll get an early start and be patient.
“I’d stay home if I didn’t have to work, but if you have to work, you have to get out and battle the traffic,” said Tilotta.
Harris County Toll Road Authority said it would take seven days before it can evaluate the West Sam Houston Tollway, before reopening.
TxDOT said it's working to improve conditions, and once the water recedes it can open up more roads.
TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE! If you're headed to work or school, LEAVE EARLY! Some roads are still closed due to flooding. KPRC2 Cathy Hernandez hits the streets for a first-hand look at the morning commute. http://bit.ly/2xOkH8e?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KPRC2_/_Click2Houston
Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Wednesday, September 6, 2017
