Houston commuters are facing a period of significant traffic disruption as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) initiates a series of long-term ramp closures and a full weekend shutdown on Interstate 10. The changes, part of the I-10 White Oak Bayou Elevation Project, are scheduled to begin this week and will impact major travel corridors into mid-2028.
Drivers on the I-10 Katy Freeway and I-45 North Freeway will need to plan for new routes, with some key connector ramps closing for more than two years. A complete closure of I-10's westbound lanes near downtown is also planned for the upcoming weekend.
Key Takeaways
- A major traffic switch on I-10 and I-45 begins this week in Houston for the White Oak Bayou project.
- The I-10 eastbound connector to I-45 North will close starting Thursday night and remain shut until mid-2028.
- I-10 westbound main lanes will be fully closed from I-45 to Taylor Street this entire weekend, from Friday night to Monday morning.
- After the weekend, I-10 westbound will be permanently reduced from three lanes to two in the project area until mid-2025.
- Multiple other long-term and weekend ramp closures will require drivers to use designated detours.
Long-Term Closures Begin This Week
The first phase of the traffic shift involves multi-year closures of critical connector ramps. According to transportation officials, these shutdowns are necessary for crews to safely rebuild elevated sections of the freeway.
Starting at 10 p.m. on Thursday, the ramp connecting the eastbound I-10 Katy Freeway to the northbound I-45 North Freeway will be closed. This vital link for drivers heading north from the west side of Houston is not expected to reopen until the middle of 2028.
Simultaneously, another long-term closure will affect southbound traffic on I-45. The connector ramp from the southbound North Freeway to the westbound Katy Freeway, including the HOV connector, will also shut down. This closure is projected to last until mid-2025, impacting commuters heading west from areas north of downtown.
Full Weekend Shutdown on I-10 Westbound
The most significant short-term impact will occur over the upcoming weekend. A complete closure of all I-10 westbound main lanes is scheduled from I-45 to Taylor Street.
Weekend Closure Details
- What: Full closure of I-10 westbound main lanes.
- Where: Between I-45 (downtown) and Taylor Street.
- When: From 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.
This shutdown will sever a primary artery for westbound travel through the city. Drivers will be forced onto detour routes, likely causing congestion on surrounding freeways and surface streets. Transportation officials are urging the public to avoid the area if possible or to allow for significant extra travel time.
In addition to the main lane shutdown, several other connector ramps will be closed during the same weekend period, including the I-45 northbound to I-10 westbound connector and the I-10 westbound to I-45 southbound (Gulf Freeway) connector.
Navigating the New Traffic Patterns
With multiple closures in effect, drivers will need to familiarize themselves with the official TxDOT detours. Planning ahead will be essential to navigate the complex web of shutdowns.
Detour for I-10 EB to I-45 NB (Long-Term)
For the multi-year closure of the eastbound I-10 to northbound I-45 ramp:
- Drivers on I-10 eastbound must use the ramp to the I-610 West Loop northbound.
- Continue on I-610 north.
- Use the connector ramp from I-610 to access I-45.
Detour for I-10 WB (Weekend Closure)
For drivers on I-45 northbound trying to access the closed I-10 westbound this weekend:
- Continue north on I-45.
- Take the ramp to the I-610 West Loop.
- Continue on I-610 to connect with I-10.
Detour for I-45 SB to I-10 WB (Long-Term)
For the closure affecting southbound I-45 traffic heading to westbound I-10:
- Continue south on I-45 past the I-10 interchange.
- Take the exit ramp for I-10 eastbound.
- Exit at McKee/Hardy Street.
- Turn left onto Hardy Street, then left again onto Providence Street to use the entrance ramp for I-10 westbound.
About the Project
The I-10 White Oak Bayou Elevation Project is a large-scale infrastructure initiative aimed at improving drainage and reducing the risk of flooding on this critical section of the freeway. The construction involves elevating the main lanes and rebuilding connectors over the bayou, which requires extensive and long-term traffic modifications.
Permanent Lane Reduction Ahead
Once the full weekend closure ends at 5 a.m. on Monday, commuters will face another lasting change. The westbound lanes of I-10 through the construction zone will be permanently reduced from three lanes to two.
This lane reduction is expected to remain in place until mid-2025. This change will likely create a new bottleneck, and drivers should anticipate daily delays during morning and evening commutes. The Texas Department of Transportation advises all drivers to be alert for new signage, be aware of construction crews, and exercise caution when traveling through the work zone.
