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.

IH 610 Northbound Frontage Road @ Westpark Dr.

One Right, (Outside) Lane Closed Continuously through 5 a.m on Monday, Jan. 15.

IH 610 Southbound Frontage Road between Westpark Dr. and Fournace Pl.

One Alternate Lane Closed Continuously through 5: a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27.

Westpark (Eastbound) between Chimney Rock Rd. and the IH 610 West Loop

One Right, (Outside) Lane Closed Continuously between 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3 through 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

Westpark (Westbound) between the IH 610 West Loop and South Rice Ave.

One Left, (Inside) Lane Closed Continuously between 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3 through 5 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24.

IH 69 Southbound Mainlanes between Newcastle and the IH 610 West Loop

Two Right, (Outside) Lanes Closed Nightly from 9 p.m. - 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2 through Thursday, Jan. 4.

IH 69 Southbound Direct Connector to the IH 610 West Loop Northbound

Total Closure Nightly between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. from Tuesday, through Thursday (Jan. 2-4). Detour via the exit to Newcastle Dr. and follow the IH 69 Southbound Frontage Rd. until it turns into the IH 610 West Loop Northbound Frontage Rd. Follow the IH 610 Northbound Frontage Rd. to the next entrance ramp to the IH 610 Northbound main lanes.

IH 610 Southbound Exit to Fournace Pl.

Total Closure Continuously between 9 p.m. from Friday, Jan. 5 through 5 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27. 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.

AP Photo by Pat Sullivan