White Oak Bayou Elevation Project advances with major traffic switch beginning Oct. 24

The White Oak Bayou Elevation Project has continued to advance along the I-10 Katy Freeway and is set to begin its next major step of Phase 1, with a traffic shift that will reduce the I-10 westbound main lanes between the I-45 North Freeway and Houston Avenue from four lanes to two, starting Oct. 24.

What's happening?

Beginning Oct. 24, construction crews will close the two lanes of traffic, which will remain closed until an estimated time frame of mid-2026, according to an Oct. 6 news release from the Texas Department of Transportation.

Per the release, the closure is necessary to complete the construction of the new elevated westbound lanes, which will overlap the footprint of the existing westbound main lanes. As of press time, on I-10 westbound between I-45 and Studemont Street, the lanes are reduced to three lanes, while the I-45 northbound connector ramp to I-10 westbound is reduced to a single lane of traffic.

Other major travel impacts along the route that residents should be aware of include:

• Total closure of the I-45 southbound direct connector to I-10 westbound, including the HOV lane. It is estimated to reopen in mid-2026.
• Total closure of the I-10 eastbound direct connector to I-45 northbound. It is estimated to remain closed until mid-2028.

TxDOT officials noted in the release that while construction continues, drivers are advised to follow posted detour signs.

About the project

The $400 million transportation project includes raising the elevation of the I-10 main lanes above the floodplain of White Oak Bayou from Heights Boulevard to I-45, including the reconstruction of the I-10 HOV lanes and reconstruction of the Houston Avenue Bridge.

According to previous Community Impact coverage, the project started in early January and is anticipated for completion in mid-to-late 2028.