TRAFFIC

A reconstruction project in the Heights has a lot of residents talking. The 11th Street reconstruction project in the Heights neighborhood is set to turn the street from two lanes in each direction down to one lane in each direction, and a lot of folks stand on both sides of the aisle when it comes to these changes.

Happy Friday-eve, my friends! I’ve wondered about the benefits for this button for as long as I’ve been driving. If you’re looking for it, you’ll find it, but it’s often the thing you likely look at and aren’t sure what to do with it. Our amazing Digital Special Projects Manager describes this button perfectly: “...The recirculation button is the button on your dash that sports a car outline with a U-shaped arrow inside of it. This button stops air flow from outside your vehicle so your air conditioner recirculates the air inside of the vehicle that’s already cool or on its way to being cool.”

TxDOT announced on Thursday that all northbound and southbound lanes of the Southwest Freeway at 610 West Loop will be closed due to ongoing construction.

It all starts Friday morning! If you’re planning on checking out the new Memorial Land Bridge tunnels or going out for a Saturday morning run, get ready because Memorial Drive will be shut down in both directions.

A fuel truck rollover has shut down all of the lanes on Southwest Freeway going southbound near Bissonnet Thursday morning, TranStar says. Officials said the lanes are expected to reopen at least by Thursday afternoon.

Houston is growing and some of those growing pains can be felt at the gas pump and when driving down congested streets. A new program is being tested in Houston to save money on rideshares. In partnership with Uber, the Greater Southeast Management District launched a program during Memorial Day weekend to help solve traffic concerns and keep Houston on the move.

We are revealing a possible solution to Texas’ fraudulent paper plate problem. KPRC 2 Investigates first exposed our state’s fraudulent paper tag system and the lax oversight of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles more than a year ago. Now, one local security expert is pitching a possible solution to the state.

A fatal crash involving one vehicle has shut down all mainlanes of the Southwest Freeway near Fondren Road/Bellaire Boulevard exit.

Three lanes are currently shut down on US-59 at Aldine Bender in northeast Houston due to an overturned 18-wheeler.

Hello my friends! A lot is happening in the traffic world, here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:

In the state of Texas, you need a license plate on the front and back of your vehicle.

The Gulf Freeway northbound is shut down Wednesday after a deadly auto-pedestrian crash, authorities said.

The Texas Department of Transportation created a temporary IH-45 North Freeway southbound frontage road bypass between Cypresswood and FM 1960 is now open to drivers. It will provide continuous passage for those on the North Freeway southbound feeder road trying to access FM 1960.

Last year, there were 163,756 traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 6,493 serious injuries and 1,532 deaths -- the highest number of fatalities in a single year since 1981.

The “pedal to the metal” mentality is not going to work for drivers this summer.

A two-vehicle crash has closed the left two lanes at I-45 southbound in Galveston County Thursday morning.

Can you imagine hiking or biking for 31 uninterrupted trail miles, with no vehicular traffic? Well, Harris County, along with the Harris County Toll Road Authority, is introducing the Destination Trail: a 31-mile proposed hike and bike trail within Harris County featuring countless historic and culturally significant sites and connecting the cities of Houston, South Houston, and Webster.

An investigation is underway after a driver was killed in a crash involving two vehicles in northeast Harris County Tuesday, deputies said.

Repairs are underway after a tractor-trailer truck struck a bridge while losing its load on I-10 Katy Freeway Monday morning.

The southbound connector ramp at the I-69 Eastex Freeway headed toward 610 North Loop is closed due to emergency repairs that stemmed from a major crash involving a heavy truck.

It’s time to pay up, buttercup! Everyone enjoyed the free ride on the new stretch of tollway of the Grand Parkway when it opened in May, but now, that free ride has come to an end.

An overturned cement truck has lost its load, causing a shutdown on N. Beltway 8 near John F. Kennedy Boulevard, according to Transtar.

Elizabeth Ohiku said traveling with children is difficult, but she isn’t talking about flying out of the airport.

A two-vehicle crash involving a heavy truck has shut down South Loop at SH-288 westbound, according to Transtar.

Everyone enjoyed the free ride on the new stretch of tollway of the Grand Parkway when it opened in May, but now, that free ride has come to an end.

Fans in Dover complain of "absolute chaos" at the port as they travel to the Champions League final.

Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner and folks may even start heading out for their holiday road trip as early as today, Thursday!

Have you ever been driving along, enjoying your day, and had something unexpected happen to your vehicle? Maybe you ran out of gas. Perhaps you got a flat tire, or your car overheated.

This Memorial Day weekend is expected to be the busiest in two years as 34.9 million people plan to hit the road, with 2.8 million of those drivers right here in Texas. Those numbers are up around 5% compared to last year, according to AAA Texas.

A fatal crash has caused a closure in the northbound lanes of Eastex Freeway at Aldine Bender Thursday, Houston police said.

The 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Update for the Houston-Galveston area will build on previous planning efforts to set investment priorities for the multimodal transportation system that connects people to places where they live, work, play, and efficiently moves goods from, to, and through the region.

In 2019, the West Loop between the Katy Freeway and the Southwest Freeway was named the most congested highway segment in the state of Texas, and now in the country, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The ongoing intricate, mega-sized project to rebuild the West Loop/Southwest Freeway interchange is aimed to help alleviate some of that congestion while also improving safety along this stretch of road.

The Grand Parkway is used by thousands every day. It’s a 184-mile toll road connecting seven counties around Houston. With construction in northeast Houston coming to an end as the new stretch of pavement from New Caney down to Dayton opened on Thursday, May 19, the vision of creating the largest loop in the country is becoming reality.

The Grand Parkway / SH 99 from Eastex Freeway in New Caney to SH 146 in Baytown opened to traffic on Thursday!

A new section of the Grand Parkway will open on Thursday morning.

Drivers are currently experiencing traffic delays after an 18-wheeler hit a bridge on the East Freeway Wednesday.

METRO celebrated the completion of 2,500 universally accessible bus stops early in May, marking a huge milestone for transportation equality. METRO is committed to upgrading all of its 9,000 bus stops to be universally accessible -- this means when riders choose to use public transportation, their experience will be safer, more comfortable, and they will have better access to health care, school, and work.

Here’s a First On 2 inside look at the Port of Galveston’s newest terminal and our Traffic Expert Anavid Reyes was the first reporter to get to walk through the 150,000 square-foot facility.

A deadly crash has shut down the North Loop near Lockwood Tuesday, police said.

Houston motorcyclist and U.S. Air Force veteran Eric Newell was involved in a hit-and-run crash in Houston on April 25, 2021, when his motorcycle was rear-ended by a vehicle.

Here is great news for drivers!

A cleanup is underway after an 18-wheeler carrying fruit overturned in north Harris County Sunday, Precinct 4 deputies said.

All main lanes headed southbound on I-45 Gulf Freeway at FM 1765 will be temporarily closed Friday afternoon, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

For three weekends in a row, the Texas Department of Transportation is shutting down all main lanes in both directions of the Southwest Freeway at 610.

What a treat!

A crash involving three vehicles is causing delays at IH-610 North Loop westbound at Hirsch Road Thursday, police said.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County has been working on a new way to travel between Downtown and Uptown, as these areas are two of Houston’s largest employment and activity centers.

Not only are there long times outside of Terminal E, but there are no bathrooms inside the waiting area at Terminal E pick up.

Harris County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a deadly crash on the East Freeway Tuesday.

Airport officials warn peak travel times are from Thursday through Sunday between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Advocates are urging states across the nation to preserve existing all-riders motorcycle helmet requirements during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May.

A man obstructed traffic on U.S. 83 in south Laredo before jumping on the hood of a...

It's dumb that Black people are pressured to react when White people act dumb.

Astronomers say that a rocket in space since 2015 is hurtling towards the moon where it will explode.

Traffic on Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville will be temporarily halted on Saturday as U.S. Customs and Border Protection hold a 9/11 remembrance ceremony on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Good morning, Chicago. Here are some of the top stories you need to know to start your day.

A 46-year-old woman and 20-year-old man, both from Chicago, were driving on I-55 when their vehicle was struck by gunfire, said state police. Both were taken to a hospital “with injuries ... from gunfire,” according to state police. Their conditions were not given.

HOUSTON Question: Whats the status on the Westheimer repaving project? Answer: The Westheimer Road repaving project is managed by the Texas Department of Transportation. They are repaving and restoring this road between the West Loop and Dunvale Road. The project is estimated to cost $5,461,949 and should be done by November 13, 2020, according to TXDOT.

HOUSTON Since COVID 19, ridership has dropped 80% for companies like UBER or Lyft as customers and drivers dont feel safe amid this pandemic. UBER and Lyft both say though their commitment to safety is not new, their approach to a new rider experience is. Heres what you need to know if you plan on using UBER in the near future:As of May 18, Ubers app looked different. Heres what you need to know if you plan on using Lyft in the near future:Lyft announced a new health safety program with new policies, which launched in early May. An important feature: a new personal health certification, which will require all riders and drivers to wear face masks when using Lyft--much like UBER.

HOUSTON For the first time in 20 years, AAA will not issue a Memorial Day travel forecast. This is because the numbers used for this forecast have been affected by COVID-19. The annual forecast estimates the number of people and according to AAA, those numbers are no longer accurate. Across Texas: the average is the same. Information for this story was obtained from a AAA survey document.

HOUSTON The Texas Department of Transportation is taking steps to maintain employee safety when meeting about closures or project updates. According to Danny Perez with TXDOT, their field crews are using masks while on construction sites and radios to communicate when in close proximity. The proper safety protocol is also in place for when discussing project updates and closures. KPRCs Anavid Reyes also spoke with a TXDOT employee who is doing her part to keep her community safe. Sowing plans to plans on making masks into the fall as kids go back to school.

HOUSTON At KPRC 2, were dedicated to keeping Houstonians informed. As part of our new Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: How can I get to a testing center if I dont have a car? Answer: For those who are elderly, disabled or simply dont have the proper means of transportation, you can call the COVID-19 testing center at: 832-493-4220. All you have to do is indicate you are a person with disabilities or you simply do not have proper transportation to get to a testing site and they will take it from there.

HOUSTON During the month of May, from coast to coast National Bike Month is celebrated. Even though COVID-19 pushed the City of Houstons Bike to Work Day to September, bike month is still in full effect. KPRCs Anavid Reyes took to the streets to learn more about how Houstonians felt about using their bikes to get from point A to point B. Jennifer Ostlind, with Bike Houston, is a believer. Ostlinds wanted to bike to work for years, but she knows not everyone is big on the idea.

Heavy downpours and severe thunderstorms have brought flooding rains to parts of the Houston region. Here is a look at high water reports from across Southeast Texas. Houston TranStar reported high water in the following locations as of 3:20 p.m. Friday:45 NORTH Northbound After N MAIN ST Right Shoulder, Right Lane, Center LaneVerified at 3:48 PM todayIH-45 Southbound At SH 96/CALDER/BRITTANY BAY in Galveston County 3 Frontage Road Lanes Verified at 5:01 PM todayUS-90 ALTERNATE Westbound At FM 3155/Collins Rd in Fort Bend County All Mainlanes Verified at 5:11 PM todayEAST SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY Northbound At SPENCER HWY Exit RampVerified at 2:57 PM today ed at 3:48 PM todayEAST SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY Northbound At SPENCER HWY Exit Ramp Verified at 2:57 PM todayEAST SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY Southbound At SH-225 Exit Ramp Verified at 3:56 PM todaySH-225 Eastbound At RICHEY ST All Mainlanes Verified at 4:33 PM todaySH-225 Westbound At RICHEY ST All Mainlanes Verified at 4:27 PM todayClick here to see the levels of creeks, streams and rivers in Harris County.