Houston Commute: Freezing Fog and Major Bridge Work Lead Wednesday Delays

Overview: Restoring Service After the Freeze

Commuters in Houston are waking up to a city in transition this Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Following a multi-day stretch of freezing temperatures and icy conditions that disrupted the region, transportation authorities are moving into a restoration phase. While major arteries have been treated, localized hazards such as freezing fog and ongoing infrastructure projects will significantly impact the morning and evening drives.

METRO and Public Transit Restoration

METRO Houston has reported that service restoration is the primary focus for today. While most routes are resuming, commuters should still expect limited trips on several bus lines as the system returns to full capacity. Rail services are also stabilizing; TEXRail began the morning on an hourly schedule and is slated to return to a regular frequency by 10 a.m. as operational safety checks are completed. Commuters are encouraged to dress warmly while waiting at transit centers, as temperatures remain well below normal.

Major Construction and Lane Closures

In addition to weather recovery, several major roadwork projects are active today. Drivers should plan for the following disruptions:

• I-45 Downtown (NHHIP): As part of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project, crews are preparing for the Alabama Street bridge demolition. The westbound inside lane of Alabama Street will be closed between Chenevert Street and Almeda Road today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• SH-225 at Beltway 8-East: Expect significant nightly delays starting at 9 p.m. on both eastbound and westbound mainlanes. Two alternate lanes will be closed for ongoing maintenance through the end of the week.
• SH-249 Tomball Parkway: Continuous lane closures remain in effect between FM-1960 and Perry Road. One inside lane is closed in both directions through the end of January for construction work.
• IH-69 in Fort Bend County: Southbound lanes from University Boulevard to Riverbrook Drive in Sugar Land will see overnight closures beginning at 9 p.m.

Commuter Safety: Freezing Fog and Slick Spots

The National Weather Service has warned of freezing fog this morning, particularly for areas south of I-10 and west of I-45. This weather phenomenon can lead to sudden visibility drops and may create a thin layer of ice on elevated surfaces and bridges. While TxDOT crews have been active with brine treatments on major freeways like the 610 Loop and I-10, secondary roads may still have slick patches. Drivers are advised to increase following distances and avoid cruise control.

Evening Event Traffic

Congestion is expected to intensify in the downtown area this evening as the Houston Rockets host the San Antonio Spurs at 8:30 p.m. Commuters and fans heading to the Toyota Center should expect heavy volume on Spurs 527 and the Eastex Freeway starting around 6:30 p.m. Parking around the arena will be limited, so early arrival or the use of restored rail service is recommended.