Major Exit Closures on 610 East Loop and Ongoing I-10 Construction Impact Tuesday Commutes

Morning Traffic Overview: Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Houston commuters are facing a humid start this Tuesday morning, with temperatures around 68 degrees and a slight chance of light rain throughout the day. While most major freeways are moving at steady speeds during the pre-dawn hours, several planned construction projects and overnight incidents are expected to impact the morning and midday rush. Houston TranStar is currently monitoring several vehicle stalls on the shoulders of the Beltway 8-West and IH-45 Gulf Northbound, which may cause minor rubbernecking as traffic volume increases.

Major Construction and Exit Closures

Drivers on the East Loop should prepare for significant disruptions starting later this morning. TxDOT has announced that several northbound exit ramps on IH-610 East Loop will be closed daily for maintenance. Specifically, the exits for Lawndale, the Port of Houston, and Clinton Drive are scheduled for total closures between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM today. Motorists are advised to use Exit #26B for Market Street or follow posted detours involving U-turns to reach their destinations.

In the downtown area, the elevation project at White Oak Bayou continues to restrict lanes on I-10. Commuters traveling westbound from IH-45 to Studemont Street should expect persistent delays due to a two-lane reduction currently in place for bridge demolition. Additionally, the southbound connector ramp from IH-45 North to IH-10 Katy westbound remains closed. Drivers are being detoured toward IH-10 eastbound to exit at Hardy Street before looping back to the westbound main lanes.

Public Transit and METRO Alerts

METRO Houston has reported several service adjustments due to local construction and safety hazards. Route 044 (Acres Homes) remains detoured at the intersection of W. Montgomery and De Prist. Furthermore, Route 068 (Braeswood) is currently operating on a detour following a gas leak investigation in the area. Riders using Route 060 near the Texas Medical Center should also account for extra travel time as construction at the intersection of Old Spanish Trail and Scottcrest continues to divert buses.

Commuter Recommendations

Given the 35% chance of light rain and high humidity, road surfaces may become slick. Those traveling toward the Port of Houston should complete their trips before the 9:00 AM ramp closures or plan for alternate routes via the Sidney Sherman Bridge. For those heading into downtown, utilizing the HOV lanes is recommended to bypass the I-10 elevation work zones. We will continue to provide updates as conditions evolve throughout the day.