The lengthy delays crossing the San Jacinto River on Interstate Highway 69 at rush hour are almost over. TxDOT originally expected repairs could take until September, but is now saying traffic will return to normal by early July.

That’s the good news. However, between now and then, the concrete spaghetti bowl over the river will become even more tangled as crews work on one lane after another to restore normal traffic flow. So  make note of the following. Here’s the latest:

Motorists should expect traffic delays and are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes.

All closures are subject to cancellation or modification due to adverse weather. 

Summary of What will Open When

• The southbound mainlanes will be returned to their original condition by 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018.
• The southbound entrance ramp from Kingwood Dr. will be reopened by 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018.
• The southbound exit ramp to FM 1960 will be reopened by 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018:
• The northbound mainlanes will be returned to their original condition by 5:00 AM on Monday, July 02, 2018.
• The Eastex HOV/Express Lanes between Kingwood Dr. and the Townsen Park & Ride will be returned to the original condition by 4:00 AM on Monday July 02, 2018.
• The northbound entrance ramp from FM 1960/Townsen will be reopened by 5:00 AM on Tuesday, July 03, 2018.

Below, read how TxDOT will meet those deadlines.

Ongoing Traffic Closures at this Time

I-69 Eastex northbound entrance ramp from FM 1960/Townsen: Total closure continuously through 5:00 AM on Tuesday, July 03, 2018.  Detour northbound on the frontage road to the entrance ramp from Sorters McClellan Rd. 

I-69 Eastex northbound mainlanes between FM 1960 to Kingwood Dr.: Two left lanes closed continuously through 9:00 PM on Friday, June 29, 2018. Three mainlanes will remain open.  Please refer to closure #9 below for closure details for the weekend of June 29 th thru July 2^nd.

I-69 Eastex southbound entrance ramp from Kingwood Dr.:  Total closure continuously through 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018. Detour southbound on the frontage road to the entrance ramp from Townsen Blvd. 

I-69 Eastex southbound frontage road between Kingwood Dr. and Sorters McClellan Rd.: One Left lane closed continuously through 5:00 AM on Friday, June 29, 2018.   Please refer to closure #12 below for closure details for the week of June 25 th thru June 29 th.

I-69 Eastex southbound mainlanes between Kingwood Dr. and FM 1960: Two Right lanes closed continuously through 9:00 PM on Friday, June 22. Three mainlanes will remain open.  Please refer to closure #6 below for closure details for the weekend of June 22 th thru June 25 th.

I-69 Eastex southbound exit ramp to FM 1960: Total closure continuously through 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018.   Detour southbound on the mainlanes to the exit ramp to Sorters McClellan Rd./Townsen/FM 1960.  Follow the Southbound Frontage Rd. to Sorters McClellan Rd., Townsen or FM 1960. 

I-69 Eastex HOV/Express Lanes between Kingwood Dr. and the Townsen Park & Ride:  Total closure continuously through 4:00 AM on Monday July 02, 2018.  Southbound Detour via the entrance from the Townsen Park and Ride.  Northbound Detour via the exit at the Townsen Park and Ride. 

Closures to restore Southbound Mainlanes

1. I-69 Eastex southbound mainlanes between Northpark Dr. and FM 1960:  One right lane closed nightly from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Monday June 18, Tuesday June 19, Wednesday June 20 and Thursday June 21.
2. I-69 Eastex southbound frontage road between Kingwood Dr. and Sorters McClellan Rd.:  One Left lane closed nightly from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Monday June 18, Tuesday June 19, Wednesday June 20 and Thursday June 21.   
3. I-69 Eastex southbound entrance ramp from Sorters McClellan Rd.:  Total closure nightly between 7:00 PM and 5:00 AM on Monday June 18, Tuesday June 19, Wednesday June 20 and Thursday June 21.  Detour southbound on the frontage road to the entrance ramp from Townsen Blvd.
4. I-69 Eastex southbound exit ramp to Sorters McClellan Rd./Townsen/FM 1960:  Total closure continuously between 9:00 PM on Friday June 22 and 6:00 PM on Saturday June 23.  Detour southbound on the mainlanes to the exit ramp to Will Clayton.  Follow the Frontage Rd to the U-turn at Will Clayton; Follow the U-Turn at Will Clayton to the northbound frontage road.  Follow the northbound frontage rd. to FM 1960, Townsen or Sorters McClellan Rd.  An alternate detour is to exit at Kingwood Dr. and follow the southbound frontage rd. to Sorters McClellan Rd., Townsen and FM 1960.  
5. I-69 Eastex southbound entrance ramp from Sorters McClellan Rd.:  Total closure continuously between 9:00 PM on Friday, June 22 and 6:00 PM on Saturday, June 23.  Detour southbound on the frontage road to the entrance ramp from Townsen Blvd.
6. I-69 Eastex southbound mainlanes between FM 1314 and FM 1960:  Multiple alternate lanes closed continuously from 9:00 PM on Friday, June 22 through 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25.  At least one mainlane will remain open.
7. I-69 Eastex southbound mainlanes between Townsen and FM 1960:  Left, (Inside), shoulder closed between 5:00 AM on Monday June 25 and 5:00 AM on Tuesday July 03.

Closures to Restore Northbound Mainlanes

1. I-69 Eastex northbound mainlanes between FM 1960 to Kingwood Dr.: One additional Left lane closed nightly from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, Tuesday June 26, Wednesday June 27 and Thursday June 28.   At least two mainlanes will remain open.
2. I-69 Eastex northbound mainlanes between FM 1960 to Kingwood Dr.: Four alternate lanes closed continuously from 9:00 PM on Friday, June 29, through 5:00 AM on Monday, July 02.  At least one mainlane will remain open.
3. I-69 Eastex northbound exit ramp to Loop 494/ Sorters McClellan Rd: Total closure continuously from 9:00 PM on Friday, June 29, through 5:00 AM on Monday, July 02.  Detour via the northbound mainlanes to the exit  ramp to Northpark Dr.; U-Turn at Northpark Dr. and then follow the southbound frontage road to either Kingwood Dr. or Sorters McClellan Rd.
4. I-69 Eastex northbound exit ramp to Kingwood Drive: Total closure continuously between 9:00 PM on Friday, June 29, through 5:00 AM on Monday, July 02.  Detour via the northbound mainlanes to the exit  ramp to Northpark Dr.; U-Turn at Northpark Dr. and then follow the southbound frontage road to either Kingwood Dr. or Sorters McClellan Rd.

Traffic Closures to Restore Frontage Roads 

1. I-69 Eastex southbound frontage road between Kingwood Dr. and Sorters McClellan Rd.: Alternate Left lanes closed nightly from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, Tuesday June 26 and Wednesday June 27 and Thursday June 28.   
2. I-69 Eastex northbound frontage road between FM 1960 and Sorters McClellan Rd.: Two Left lanes closed nightly from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Monday, July 02, and Tuesday July 03.

Miscellaneous Traffic Closures for Clean Up and Demobilization

1. I-69 Eastex Turnaround Road from W Hamblen Rd to Hamblen Rd: Total closure continuously through 7:00 PM on Tuesday, July 03. Detour from Hamblin Rd: Northbound on Loop 494 to Kingwood Dr.; Detour from McClellan Rd: Southbound on the Southbound Frontage Rd. to FM 1960.
2. I-69 Eastex Turnaround Road from W Hamblen Rd to Hamblen Rd: Total closure daily between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM between Thursday July 05 and Friday July 13. Detour from Hamblin Rd: Northbound on Loop 494 to Kingwood Dr.; Detour from McClellan Rd: Southbound on the Southbound Frontage Rd. to FM 1960.

Posted 6/19/2018 by Bob Rehak with thanks to Mark Mitchell for the information!

294 Days since Hurricane Harvey