I-10 and North Loop Ramp Closures to Impact Thursday Morning Houston Commute

Major Freeway Alerts and Ramp Closures

Commuters navigating the Houston freeway system this Thursday, February 12, 2026, should prepare for significant disruptions, particularly on the I-10 and I-610 corridors. A total closure of the IH-610 North Loop Eastbound exit ramp to Hardy Toll Road (Spur 548) is scheduled for today, requiring motorists to seek alternative routes to the north. Additionally, the southbound connector ramp from I-45 to IH-10 East, which has been closed overnight, is expected to reopen at 5:00 AM, though lingering congestion may affect the early morning rush.

Bridge Demolition and Ongoing I-10 Projects

The I-10 White Oak Bayou elevation project continues to cause major delays near downtown. The demolition of the Studemont Street Bridge has resulted in lane reductions and alternating closures of exit and entrance ramps between Heights Boulevard and the I-45/Hogan Street interchange. Traffic is currently reduced to two outside lanes westbound in this area. Drivers are encouraged to use Washington Avenue or White Oak Drive as detours to bypass the construction zone.

On the IH-610 East Loop, expect midday delays as one outside southbound lane will be closed from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM today for maintenance work between the Ship Channel and the Turning Basin. Similarly, the I-45 Southbound frontage road in the Texas City area will see a single-lane closure during the same midday window.

METRO Public Transit and HOV Updates

Houston METRO has announced several service adjustments and detours for Thursday:

• HOV/HOT Lanes: Access and egress points for the I-45 North HOV/HOT lane at Quitman Street to and from the I-10 Katy Freeway remain closed until further notice. Commuters should use the Quitman/White Oak Drive access point instead.
• Bus Detours: Route 066 (Quitman) is detoured westbound at the intersection of Quitman and Fulton Street. Route 041 (Kirby/Polk) remains on detour at Kirby Drive and Holcombe Boulevard due to ongoing local construction.
• Service Modals: METRORail is operating on a normal weekday schedule; however, riders should check the METRO app for real-time updates on individual bus trip cancellations, which have been noted on several express routes this morning.

Tunnel and Regional Reopenings

The Washburn Tunnel and the SH-225 Westbound lanes at Pasadena Boulevard, which were closed for overnight construction, have both reopened as of 6:00 AM. While surface conditions are dry and weather is expected to be mild with a high of 79°F, the density of construction-related bottlenecks suggests that commuters should allow an extra 15 to 20 minutes for cross-town travel.