HOUSTON – The I-610/59 interchange is one of the most heavily congested, ranking as the number one most congested interchange in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. For the past several years, the improvements designed for this project have aimed to change that. With that being said, another massive closure shut down part of the interchange in order to make room for the work that’s coming up. Officials said it’s the last phase of the $259 million I-610 W. Loop/I-69 Southwest Freeway Interchange project.
This is what’s happening:
- The 59 southbound connector ramp to the West Loop southbound main lanes is closed for the next two years. This is going to impact folks that are driving towards Sugar Land and trying to access the Meyerland or Bellaire area.
- The Chimney Rock Road exit from the Southwest Freeway southbound main lanes closed at the same time.
- The shutdown is expected to last for the next two years and is scheduled to kick-off at the end of April or the beginning of May.
- TxDOT is still on track to finish the entire project by 2024.
Officials say the project looks to reduce congestion by widening connector ramp lanes, and improve safety and mobility by increasing sight distances and vertical clearances.
TxDOT has an alternate route and traffic will continue on the Southwest Freeway southbound main lanes to the Fountain View exit ramp. Make a U-Turn at Fountain View and continue onto the first entrance ramp onto 69 northbound then take the 69 northbound connecter ramp to the 610 southbound main lanes.
We want drivers to remember that massive closures like these cause some serious headaches, but it truly helps crews safely do their job and speed up the work, so hopefully, the closure doesn’t last the full two years.