The Brazos River Turnaround off of Hwy. 59 in Sugar Land will remain closed while the Texas Department of Transportation works to fix safety issues caused by bouts of heavy rain and flooding.

The Texas Department of Transportation closed the southbound portion of the turnaround July 26 after heavy rains eroded the area. The road portion was already damaged from May floods, according to the agency.

Danny Perez, a public information officer for TxDOT’s Houston District, said concrete barriers lacked support due to soil erosion from the July 26 rains. The barriers are designed to protect cars on the turnaround.

“Right now, as a precaution we just have it closed,” Perez said. “There’s no significant impact to the surrounding structure.”

He said TxDOT is working to fix the issue, but transportation officials have not determined when the turnaround would reopen.

He said TxDOT is coordinating with Fort Bend County and the Galveston District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to solve the problem.

“There’s a portion of the barrier that’s kind of hanging,” Perez said.

TxDOT Houston District public information officer Deidrea George said the agency is preparing an emergency maintenance contract to replace the eroded slope.

The turnaround is normally accessible from Hwy. 59 between the University Boulevard and Grand Parkway exits. However, the Hwy. 59 frontage roads are open. Perez said until the turnaround is reopened, travelers could use another exit.

“We need to make sure we get everything in order, and that’s what we’re doing now,” he said.