Lane Closures During I-69/610 Interchange Enhancement

BELLAIRE, TX — Construction crews have begun working on the interchange of Interstate 69 and the 610 loop. Here are the detour routes until the process is complete. This is to provide Bellaire residents with traffic detour and lane closure information which might impact your commute.

Details of the project include:

• Upcoming construction improvements to the I-69 Southwest/I-610 West Loop Interchange Reconstruction in Harris County
• Utilities work has already started; construction and detour and major lane closure activities begin February 2018
• Construction is expected to last approximately six years
• Project Cost $259 million; $87.5 million is Texas Clear Lanes funding
• The project includes:
  • Reconstructing one-lane connectors to two-lane connectors
  • Upgrading interchange to current design standards
  • Adding shoulders on I-610 West Loop main lane bridge
  • Increasing vertical clearances
  • Increasing sight distances
  • Adding detention ponds
  • Eliminating major weaving
• The purpose of the project is to improve safety and mobility and reduce congestion
• The project also addresses several needs including one-lane direct connectors that are over capacity; projected growth would increase demand; and there are no shoulders, low vertical clearances, below minimum sight distances, and crashes in merge areas
• I-610 West and I-69 South are heavily congested during peak hours (I-610 West Loop is ranked as the #1 Most Congested Highway in Texas)

Phase "0:"

• Utility relocations: Late 2017 – Summer 2018

Phase 1:

• Construction: Summer 2018 – Summer 2019
• Sound walls along I-610 SB and I-69 SB freeway
• High mast lights
• Portions of I-69 NB to I-610 NB, I-69 SB to I-610 SB, I-69 SB to I-610 NB and I-610 main lanes
• Close and reconstruct I-610 exit ramp to Fournace
• I-610 widening
• Storm sewer work – I-69 NB main lanes and South Rice Ave
• Construct SB Post Oak Blvd

There will be similar updates on a bi-weekly basis or access the information on the TxDOT website.

You can also follow project updates and information on Twitter @HOU610at69.

IH 610 Southbound Frontage Road, north of Westpark Dr.: The current “Left Lane Must Turn Left” configuration will remain thru 5:00 AM on Saturday, July 28, 2018.

IH 610 Southbound Frontage Road between Westpark Dr. and Fournace Pl.: 1 Alternate Lane remains closed continuously through 5:00 AM on Saturday, July 28, 2018.

IH 610 Southbound Exit to Fournace Pl.: Total Closure Continuously until further notice. Detour via the Exit to Hidalgo St.; Turn Left, (South) onto Post Oak Blvd. Follow Post Oak Blvd. to the IH 610 West Loop Southbound Frontage road. Follow the IH 610 West Loop Southbound Frontage Rd. to Fournace Pl. An alternate detour is to follow the IH 610 Southbound Main lanes to the exit to Bellaire Blvd.; U-Turn at Bellaire Blvd and follow the IH 610 Northbound Frontage Road to Fournace Pl.

IH 610 Northbound Frontage Road between Fournace Pl. and Westpark Dr.: 1 Left, (Inside) Lane closed daily between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM thru Friday, 03.02.18.

IH 610 Northbound Frontage Road between Fournace Pl. and Westpark Dr.: 1 Right, (Outside) Lane closed continuously thru Friday, 03.02.18.

IH 69 Southbound Frontage Road between McCue Rd. and Chimney Rock Rd.: 1 Right, (Outside) Lane closed daily between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM thru Sunday, 02.25.18.

IH 610 Southbound Frontage Road between Westpark Dr. and Fournace Pl.: Total Closure nightly between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM between Monday, 02.26.18 and Friday, 03.02.18. Follow the detour signs. Off Duty officers will be on site to facilitate access for vehicles who have destinations between Westpark and Fournace.

Post Oak Blvd (Southbound) between Transco One Dr. and Richmond Ave.: 1 Right, (Outside) Lane Closed daily between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM thru Sunday 02.25.18.

Newcastle (Southbound) between the IH 69 Southbound Frontage Rd and Westpark: 1 Right, (Outside) Lane closed continuously between 9:00 AM on Friday, 02.09.18 and 5:00 AM on Saturday, 05.05.18.

IH 69 Southwest Freeway Express/HOV Lanes Entrance and Exit to Westpark: Total Closure Continuouslystarting at the close of Express/HOV Lanes Operations on Friday, 02.23.18. This closure will remain in place until further notice. Detour via the Express/HOV Lanes Entrance and Exit to Edloe Street.

Off Duty Police Officers will be on site to assist, as needed, and changeable message signs will also be utilized as needed.

(AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)