TOTAL CLOSURE OF US 59/ SOUTHWEST FREEWAY SOUTHBOUND SCHEDULED OVER THE WEEKEND

“Motorists are Encouraged to Use Alternate Routes”

(Houston) – A total closure of all southbound mainlanes of US 59/ Southwest Freeway between IH 10 to IH 45 in downtown Houston will take place over the weekend. The closure is necessary for crews to repair the Bell Street Bridge. Motorists should expect delays and should consider an alternate route if possible.

Starting Friday, April 13 at 9 p.m. until Monday, April 16 at 5 a.m. all mainlanes of US 59/ Southwest Freeway southbound will be closed from IH 10 to IH 45. Motorists traveling southbound on US 59 will be detoured to IH 10/ Katy Freeway. Those destined for downtown can take the San Jacinto exit and those trying to renter US 59 southbound can continue on IH 10 westbound to IH 45 southbound to access US 59 southbound.

During the same time, two connectors and two entrance ramps in the area will also be closed:

·         IH 10 eastbound connector to US 59 southbound

Detour to IH 10 eastbound mainlanes, exit Waco, turn left on Waco, turn left onto the IH 10 westbound frontage road to enter the mainlanes of IH 10 westbound. Continue on IH 10 westbound to enter IH 45 southbound and then take the connector ramp to US 59 southbound.

·         IH 10 East Freeway westbound connector to US 59 southbound

Detour to IH 45 southbound and then take the connector ramp to US 59 southbound.

·         US 59 southbound entrance from Quitman Street

From the US 59 southbound frontage road (Schwartz Street) detour to the IH 10 westbound frontage road entrance ramp from McKee to enter the IH 10 westbound mainlanes. Continue on IH 10 westbound to enter IH 45 southbound and then take the connector ramp to US 59 southbound.

·         US 59 southbound entrance from Lyons Avenue

From the US 59 southbound frontage road (Schwartz Street) detour to the IH 10 westbound frontage road entrance ramp from McKee to enter the IH 10 westbound mainlanes. Continue on IH 10 westbound to enter IH 45 `southbound and then take the connector ramp to US 59 southbound.

Crews will be repairing a section of the bridge damaged by vehicles over the maximum height requirement attempting to pass under the structure.

Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and consider an alternate route if possible. Those destined to areas south of downtown Houston should consider using the IH 610 Loop or IH 45 to bypass the closure. Downtown traffic can bypass the closure by using the US 59 Southwest Freeway entrance ramp from Webster Street.

Bell Street over US 59 will also be closed. Police officers will be on site to assist with traffic control.

For more information on these scheduled lane closures in the Houston District contact Danny Perez at (713) 802-5077 or visit the Houston TranStar website at www.houstontranstar.org. All closures are subject to change due to inclement weather.  Follow us on Twitter @TxDOTHoustonPIO.