Expect Delays: I-45 Traffic About to Get Worse Before it Gets Better

Houston, TX -- Interstate-45 and Allen Parkway has always been a bit problematic, to put it mildly. Actually it's been a major pain to put it accurately.

The confusing nature of the entrance and exit ramps has sent many Houstonians coming from traffic court and hustling to get to work on time because the manager said if you're late again you're fired, and you really need this job because you're already four days late with the rent and the electric bill's due next week and they've already sent you a pink notice, scrambling to move over a lane but that jerk in the Acura won't let you in so you wind up driving through Downtown and crisscrossing Midtown looking for a way back to the freeway. Growing more frustrated with each passing moment until finally, boom you're in the middle of a full-blown panic attack.

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Calm down, breathe. Because there's good news. TxDOT has decided to redesign that troublesome intersection. But like anything involving TxDOT there's good news and bad news.

Beginning Friday, July 8, entrance ramps to Southbound I-45 will be closed from Houston Avenue, Memorial Drive/Rusk Street and Allen Parkway. The $3.6 million project will also close the exits, TxDOT calls them a distribution system for some reason, that allow traffic to get off at Dallas, Pierce and Bagby.

The exits are expected to open in about two months, right around the time it will take to learn a detour, and the on-ramps will open in November. TxDOT has provided helpful suggestions on how to get into and out of downtown during the construction.

Coming in to Downtown on I-45 means exiting McKinney, it'll be the exit right before all of the construction so you'll have to pay close attention. To get out of Downtown on I-45 you'll have to use some side streets, which will give you a chance to show off your navigation skills.

You'll need drive towards Midtown and turn left on either Jefferson or Pierce. Coming from the north part of Downtown, Jefferson is the third street before the raised portion of the freeway. Pierce is the one right below the elevated portion of the freeway -- which is why that section of I-45 is called the Pierce elevated.

Stay on either of those roads until they pass through the intersection of I-45 and U.S. 59/I-69. Jefferson will elevate over I-45 before meeting up with Pierce at an entrance ramp.