HOUSTON — Drivers heading to Galveston will face temporary I-45 lane closures and a new two-year detour near Texas City beginning Aug. 7 as the Texas Department of Transportation continues a $226 million expansion project in Galveston County.
The first major traffic change will begin at 9 p.m. Aug. 7, when TxDOT crews close most southbound main lanes of I-45 from FM 519 to Tiki Drive, just north of the Galveston Causeway. One southbound lane will remain open until noon Aug. 8, TxDOT spokesperson Danny Perez said.
TxDOT initially planned to close the main lanes for the entire weekend but shortened the closure after considering concerns about traffic and its potential effect on Galveston businesses during the peak summer travel period.
“We decided to go ahead and go with this option that would cut that time in half rather than use the entire weekend,” Perez said.
The project will also close the ramp connecting westbound State Highway 146 to southbound I-45. Drivers heading toward Galveston will instead cross I-45 and make a U-turn near the intersection of I-45, SH 146 and State Highway 6.
Perez said the detour will remain in place for about two years.
TxDOT previously announced a different route that would have required drivers to continue north on I-45 before turning around and traveling south. Perez said the agency changed the plan to reduce travel and commute times.
The traffic changes were originally scheduled to begin July 31 but were postponed to Aug. 7 after TxDOT received concerns from nearby residents and businesses about the closures and detour.
“We wanted to be mindful of any impacts for folks that are going to be traveling, especially here we are in the peak of summer,” Perez said.
The I-45 project covers the stretch between FM 519 and the Texas City Wye. The work will widen the highway to eight total lanes and improve the route through Galveston County.
TxDOT expects the entire project to be completed by mid-2030.
Perez said the expansion will address continued growth in Galveston County and improve evacuation routes for people leaving Galveston during emergencies.