"We are making great progress and taking every opportunity to accelerate work where we can," said Danny Perez, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Transportation. "Our goal has always been to complete this project as quickly as possible while also minimizing impacts to the traveling public."
The project marked a milestone April 19 with the opening of the new I-69 northbound ramp to I-610 southbound, which has its own Fournace Place exit ramp, allowing trips from southwest Houston into Bellaire without having to get on the Loop itself, Perez said.
The $259 million, yearslong project is showing more visible signs of progress, with more to come this spring and summer.
Here is a snapshot of what's coming for the interchange project.
- The old I-69 north to I-610 south ramp will be demolished soon, making way for new work.
- In May, the the I-610 south exit to Fournace Place and the Hidalgo/Westheimer Road southbound entrance ramp onto I-610 south are expected to open.
- Also in May, the Fournace Place ramp to I-610 south will close.
- By late summer, the I-69 north frontage road from I-610 to Newcastle Drive is expected to be complete.
- After that, major work will proceed on the I-610 south to I-69 north ramp as well as the I-610 north to I-69 south ramp, which will involve intermittent main lane closures of both freeways.
