Houston Commute: Winter Recovery and Major I-45 Construction Alerts

Morning Recovery and Transit Updates

Houston commuters are seeing a return to regular schedules this morning, Thursday, January 29, 2026, as the region recovers from the impacts of Winter Storm Fern. Following several days of freezing temperatures and ice-related disruptions, METRO Houston has fully restored local bus, rail, and METROLift services. Most HOV and HOT lanes are now open, though drivers are encouraged to maintain caution as road crews finish clearing residual debris from earlier in the week. For those traveling regionally, Trinity Metro has also confirmed a return to full service for all bus and rail lines effective today.

Major Roadworks and I-45 Construction

While weather conditions have improved, major infrastructure projects are causing significant bottlenecks downtown and in the suburbs. The North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) is currently in a high-impact phase. Crews are actively staging equipment for the demolition of the Alabama Street bridge over I-69. Commuters should expect the inside lane of Alabama Street westbound to remain closed between Chenevert Street and Almeda Road through the afternoon. This work is a precursor to a total bridge closure scheduled for early February.

• I-10 Katy Freeway: Total closures remain in effect for the westbound exit and entrance ramps at Taylor Street. These closures are expected to persist for several days as part of the ongoing White Oak Bayou elevation project.
• I-45 North: The southbound connector ramp to I-10 Katy westbound is closed until further notice, forcing long-term detours for drivers moving through the central business district.
• SH-99 Grand Parkway: A total closure is active at Champion Forest, which is significantly impacting traffic flow in the northern segments of the outer loop.
• SH-249 Tomball Parkway: Watch for a continuous inside lane closure between FM-1960 and Perry Road that will remain in place through the end of the week.

Real-Time Incidents and Traffic Hazards

Emergency responders have been busy this morning addressing several incidents across the major arteries. A major accident was reported on San Felipe Street earlier today, leading to heavy delays for those heading toward the Galleria area. On the I-10 Eastbound stretch, multiple heavy truck stalls near Lockwood Drive and Kress Street have narrowed the freeway to a crawl, and commuters should consider the 610 North Loop as an alternative. Additionally, a minor accident on I-10 Katy Westbound at Patterson Street is currently affecting the right shoulder and exit lanes, causing a localized backup for westbound traffic heading out of downtown.