Construction crews working on Hwy. 290 expect to complete another milestone this weekend in the process of building a connector ramp from I-10 to Hwy. 290 outbound lanes.

Crews will be switching traffic to new pavement on northbound Loop 610 mainlanes between I-10 and Hwy. 290. The transition will give crews access to demolish the old northbound mainlanes and begin work on the direct connector from I-10. Projected to be complete in 2016, the direct connector will allow inbound drivers on I-10 to directly access both outbound Hwy. 290 lanes and eastbound 610 North Loop lanes.

Lane closures are scheduled for this weekend to help facilitate the transition, and motorists are urged to find alternate routes. The following closures are scheduled from 9 p.m. July 31 through 5 a.m. Aug. 3:

• 610 West Loop northbound mainlanes from I-10 to Hwy. 290 will have multiple inside lanes closed. Only one outside through lane will be open.

• The 610 West Loop northbound exit to Hwy. 290 westbound will be closed. Drivers will be detoured to 610 North Loop eastbound, where they can exit at Ella Boulevard, U-turn and reenter Loop 610 westbound to access the Hwy. 290 westbound connector ramp.

• The 610 West Loop northbound entrance ramp from Old Katy Road will be closed permanently beginning at 9 p.m. July 31. To access the Loop 610 northbound mainlanes, drivers can travel eastbound on Old Katy Road to Washington Avenue and turn right on I-10 westbound to get to the Loop 610 northbound connector ramp.

• On Aug. 2 between 7 a.m. and noon, it may be necessary to close the 610 West Loop northbound mainlanes at I-10 for about 20 minutes. If this happens, local law enforcement will be on site to provide traffic control assistance.

In Cypress, several frontage roads are expected to reopen at 6 a.m. July 31. The roads, which include westbound frontage roads from Fairfield Place Drive to Bauer Road and eastbound frontage roads from Bauer to Mason roads, were closed in late May to let crews work on the Hwy. 290 interchange with the Grand Parkway.

More details on the Hwy. 290 project and upcoming lane closures can be found at www.my290.com.

METRO HOT/HOV lane hour changes
The Metropolitan Transit Authority in Houston plans to introduce new lane hours for HOV/HOT on three corridors Aug. 3. The corridors affected are the northern part of I-45, the southwestern part of Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 290.

The change involves when the lanes operate as “HOV 2+ only” lanes, meaning toll payers with no passengers are not allowed access. The existing HOV only hours from 5-6 p.m. on weekdays will be extended to 4:30-6 p.m. The change is intended to address congestion and benefit buses, vanpools and carpools during peak afternoon periods, officials said.

Find more details about the Hwy. 290 HOV/HOT lane, hours of operation and access points on METRO’s website.