Major Katy Freeway Bridge Strike and White Oak Bayou Project Create Significant Morning Delays

Morning Alert: Major Katy Freeway Bridge Strike

Houston commuters are facing significant disruption this morning, Thursday, January 22, 2026, following another major bridge strike on the Katy Freeway (I-10) near downtown. According to Houston TranStar and local traffic officials, an oversized truck struck the Houston Avenue bridge at approximately 2:07 a.m. in the eastbound lanes. The impact caused the truck to lose a substantial load of aluminum crates, which spilled across multiple lanes.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has confirmed that multiple eastbound lanes remain closed for debris cleanup and a mandatory structural inspection of the bridge. This marks the second time the Houston Avenue bridge has been hit this month. Officials expect the closure and resulting congestion to extend well into the peak morning drive time. Drivers should anticipate stop-and-go conditions starting as far back as the 610 West Loop.

Ongoing Construction: I-10 White Oak Bayou Project

In addition to this morning’s incident, the multi-year I-10 White Oak Bayou Elevation Project continues to restrict movement through the central corridor. Commuters are reminded that westbound I-10 between I-45 North and Houston Avenue is currently narrowed to only two lanes, down from the usual five. This bottleneck is a permanent fixture of the project expected to last through mid-2026.

Related closures for today include:

• Total closure of the I-10 westbound exit and entrance ramps at Taylor Street.
• The I-45 southbound direct connector to I-10 westbound remains closed.
• Total overnight closure of the westbound exit ramp to Heights Boulevard is scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. tonight.

METRO Service and Commuter Alternatives

Houston METRO has issued several service alerts impacting today's travel. Route 102 (Bush IAH) continues to operate on a detour due to the downtown construction zones, and Route 137 (Northshore Express) is experiencing eastbound detours. Additionally, the I-45 North HOV/HOT lane access points at Quitman Street to and from the Katy Freeway remain closed until further notice.

To avoid the heavy congestion on I-10, commuters are advised to utilize Highway 290 or the North Loop 610 as alternate routes into the city. For those coming from the west, Memorial Drive may offer a less congested surface-street option, though it is likely to see secondary volume increases.

Weather Advisory: Arctic Front Approaching

While road conditions are currently dry, the National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Watch for the Houston area beginning Saturday evening. Lead weather editors suggest that commuters use today to ensure their vehicles are prepared for potential icy conditions later this weekend, as an Arctic front is expected to bring freezing rain and dangerously low temperatures to the region by Sunday.