Official Notice: Citywide Traffic Advisories and Public Safety Initiatives

Major Special Event Street Closures

The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Special Events has issued notices for several high-impact activities taking place this Saturday, March 7, 2026. Residents and commuters should anticipate significant traffic diversions and increased pedestrian activity in the following areas:

• Bayou City Classic: The annual 10K and 5K races are scheduled for Saturday morning. Street closures will begin at 7:00 a.m. and are expected to last until 12:30 p.m. The route begins at Walker and Smith, moving through Dallas and the inbound and outbound lanes of Allen Parkway. The event concludes at Hermann Square on McKinney.
• World Baseball Classic: Traffic around Daikin Park will be affected by closures on Texas, Crawford, Congress, and Hamilton streets. These closures are necessary to accommodate the tournament and the associated street festival on Crawford Street.
• 88th Annual River Oaks Azalea Trail: One west curb lane of the 1400-1500 blocks of Kirby Drive will be closed from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Sunday to facilitate visitor access to the historic gardens.

Houston TranStar Infrastructure and Maintenance Updates

Houston TranStar and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) have announced several priority construction projects active on Saturday, March 7. Motorists are advised to plan alternative routes to avoid delays:

• I-45 Gulf Freeway: One inside lane will be closed continuously in both directions from Scott Street to Emancipation Avenue/Pease Street until 9:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8.
• SH-146 (Dickinson Area): A total eastbound closure from SH-146 to Vicksburg Lane is in effect until 2:00 p.m. Saturday. Traffic is being detoured via FM 646 and FM 3436.
• I-10 East: Nightly maintenance on the eastbound frontage road between Waco Street and Lockwood Drive will conclude early Saturday morning at 5:00 a.m., but lane reductions remain possible for ongoing bridge work at Studemont Street.

Public Safety and Health Advisories

Mayor John Whitmire and the Houston Police Department have officially launched the 42nd annual "March on Crime" (Lucha Contra El Crimen) campaign. Throughout the month, the city will focus on crime prevention education and community engagement to help reduce criminal activity. Residents are encouraged to contact their local substations for safety resources.

Regarding public health, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has confirmed the first positive West Nile virus mosquito samples of 2026. While no human cases have been reported, an unusually warm winter has led to early mosquito breeding. The city’s mosquito control crews have begun evening spray operations. Residents are advised to drain standing water around their property and use repellent to prevent bites.

Municipal Court System Update

The City of Houston Municipal Courts Department will transition to a new, modernized jury management system beginning Monday, March 9, 2026. This system is designed to streamline the summoning process. Residents with upcoming jury duty are urged to review their notices carefully for instructions on using the new digital portal.