Major Lane Reductions on I-10 and I-610 North Loop Trigger Commuter Delays

Houston Traffic Overview: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Commuters in the Greater Houston area should prepare for a challenging morning and evening drive today as several high-profile infrastructure projects enter critical phases. While the local weather remains favorable with a clear forecast, the sheer volume of construction-related lane reductions on major arteries like I-10 and the I-610 North Loop is expected to create significant bottlenecks during peak hours. Authorities recommend allowing an additional 15 to 25 minutes for travel through the downtown and North Loop corridors.

Highway Closures and Ongoing Roadworks

The most substantial impact continues to stem from the I-10 White Oak Bayou elevation project. This multi-year effort to raise the freeway has left I-10 Westbound narrowed to just two lanes between the I-45 North interchange and Houston Avenue. Additionally, the I-45 Southbound direct connector to I-10 Westbound remains fully closed. Motorists are being diverted toward I-10 Eastbound to exit at McKee/Hardy Street before looping back to access the westbound lanes.

• I-610 North Loop: Starting tonight, Tuesday, February 24, the Eastbound Connector Ramp to the Hardy Toll Road will be under a total closure from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. This nightly closure is scheduled to continue through Friday.
• I-69 Eastex Frontage Road: New daily closures begin today. Expect alternate lane closures on both Northbound and Southbound frontage roads from Kelley St to Laura Koppe Rd between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
• I-69 Southwest: Northbound lanes from Beltway 8-West to Westpark Tollway will experience daily inside-lane closures during off-peak hours starting today for ongoing maintenance work.
• I-610 North Loop Entrance Ramps: While ramps from E T C Jester Blvd and Dacoma St reopened this morning after nightly work, they are slated for further closures beginning this evening at 8:00 PM.

Public Transport and METRO Alerts

METRO passengers should note that significant service modifications went into effect this past Sunday, February 22. These include frequency improvements for several local bus routes and adjusted schedules for Park & Ride services to better match current ridership demand. Commuters are encouraged to verify their specific route times via the METRO app.

• Route 028 (OST - Wayside): Currently detoured at Old Spanish Trail and Scott due to ongoing street construction.
• HOV/HOT Lanes: The I-45 North HOV/HOT access points at Quitman to and from I-10 remain closed until further notice, affecting those heading into the central business district.

Local Events and Pedestrian Notices

Traffic near the George R. Brown Convention Center will be heavier than usual today as the 56th Annual ATSSA Convention & Traffic Expo concludes. Expect a high volume of pedestrians and rideshare activity in the area until late afternoon. Additionally, for residents in the Heights, the MKT Trail pedestrian bridge remains closed following recent repair delays. Cyclists and pedestrians are advised to continue using the established detours via White Oak Bayou.