Significant Weekend Closures on I-45 Gulf and Sam Houston Tollway Affecting Sunday Commutes

Major Freeway Alerts and Lane Closures

Houston drivers should prepare for substantial disruptions this Sunday, February 8, 2026, as several major construction projects reach critical phases. The most significant impact is located on the I-45 Gulf Freeway. Northbound lanes from Broadway Street to Woodridge Drive remain restricted, with two outside lanes closed continuously until 5:00 AM Monday. Additionally, the connector ramp from I-45 Gulf Northbound to the I-610 South Loop is under a total closure, forcing motorists to seek alternate routes through the morning commute.

On the West Loop, drivers should be aware of a total closure on the I-610 South Loop westbound connector ramp to I-45 northbound. This closure is scheduled to remain in effect until early Monday morning. Meanwhile, long-term reconstruction continues on the I-10 Katy Freeway between Heights Boulevard and I-45, where alternating lane closures are in place. For those traveling on the East Freeway (I-10 East), expect two inside lanes to close starting at 9:00 PM tonight between Waco Street and McCarty Street for overnight maintenance.

Tollway and Secondary Artery Disruptions

The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) has announced several specific closures for Sunday morning that will affect those using the West Sam Houston Tollway. Commuters should plan for the following:

• The northbound entrance ramp from Harwin Drive will be fully closed from 6:00 AM until noon today.
• Both the entrance and exit ramps connecting the Sam Houston Tollway to the Westpark Tollway (northbound and southbound) are scheduled for closure between 6:00 AM and noon.
• On the East Sam Houston Tollway, two right main lanes and the shoulder remain closed near Little York and Tidwell throughout the afternoon.

Persistent Hazards and Event Traffic

Motorists are advised that the recent sinkhole reported on I-10 East at Federal Road continues to impact traffic flow. While repair crews have made progress, the area remains a bottleneck, and drivers are encouraged to use the 610 East Loop as a bypass. In Sugar Land, the IH-69 Southbound stretch from Riverbrook Drive to University Boulevard is restricted to just a few lanes through Monday morning, which may cause backups for those heading toward the southwest suburbs.

Beyond construction, travel to the south will be heavy due to the ongoing Mardi Gras celebrations in Galveston. With parades scheduled throughout the day, I-45 South is expected to see increased volume. METRO users should also note that Route 41 Kirby/Polk remains on detour due to local events, and the I-45 North HOV/HOT access at Quitman Street remains closed until further notice.