Texas Department of Transportation

11/30/2020

Buckle those seat belts, Texans!! In 2019, the number of people who died while not wearing a seat belt decreased by 6% over 2018. Still, 925 unbuckled drivers and passengers were killed on Texas roadways.

Earlier this year, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic levels on Texas highways dropped nearly 44 percent in some parts of the state. This decrease in traffic encouraged TxDOT to think the horrific streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways might finally come to an end. Instead, the death rate was unchanged, even with fewer drivers on Texas roads.

Do what you can to keep our roadways safe, buckle your seat belt, put away distractions and help us #EndTheStreakTX.

11/21/2020

Slow down when driving through work zones. In 2018, a total of 25,162 work zone traffic crashes were reported, an average of nearly 70 crashes per day, resulting in deaths that fell by 20 percent between 2017 and 2018 in construction zones in Texas. Help us #EndTheStreakTX.

11/18/2020

Just because 2020 has had its ups and downs, doesn't mean your eyes should. Heads up, Texas drivers. Help us #EndTheStreakTX.

11/16/2020

Plus, a packed freeway in Houston at 5:00 p.m. might just be the most socially distanced way to be around that many people at once these days.

Tips to avoid aggressive driving:
Focus on your own driving. Be cautious and considerate.
Avoid creating a situation that may cause provocation.
Give angry drivers plenty of room.
Avoid eye contact.

Help us #EndTheStreakTX.

11/16/2020

Good morning! The 288 toll lanes officially open! This is the TXDOT and Brazoria County portions of 288 from County Road 58 in Manvel to just south of downtown Houston.

11/13/2020

Let's take social distancing on the road with us. On average, one motorcyclist dies in a crash on Texas roads every day. In 2019, 412 riders lost their lives and 1,812 were seriously injured in crashes. More than half of fatal motorcycle crashes result from collisions with other vehicles. #EndTheStreakTX

11/13/2020

🛑Zing!🛑 Always obey posted signage, it's there to help you get to your destination safely. #EndTheStreakTX

11/09/2020

2020 has been a strange year, don't make it worse by driving with distractions. Texting while driving is illegal everywhere in Texas, and some cities ban all cellphone use while driving. Avoid all distractions when driving and help us #EndTheStreakTX.

11/07/2020

This November 7, Texas marks 20 years of daily deaths on our roadways with more than 70,000 innocent lives lost to preventable fatal crashes.

What we’re asking is simple: when you get behind the wheel buckle up; pay attention and avoid all distractions like phones; never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs; watch your speed, and always drive to the conditions around you.

Help us #EndtheStreakTX.

11/05/2020

HTV Houston Television

November 7th could very well mark the 20th anniversary of daily deaths occurring on Texas roadways. That means at least one fatality, once a day, for twenty consecutive years.

Help us #EndTheStreakTX.

November 5, 2020 - November 7th could very well mark the 20th anniversary of daily deaths occurring on Texas roadways. That means at least one fatality, once a day, for twenty consecutive years.

In an effort to "End the Streak" Mayor Sylvester Turner and Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan will offer an update on how both Houston and the state of Texas are addressing the problem.

Mayor Turner will also discuss Houston's Vision Zero roadway safety initiative.

#EndTheStreakTX

11/04/2020

How is it already November? No matter what month it is, what we’re asking is simple: when you get behind the wheel watch your speed; buckle up; pay attention and avoid all distractions like phones; never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and always drive to the conditions around you.

11/02/2020

Research shows that using any device, hands free or not, will cause a distraction and affect your driving. Always give driving your full attention. Help us #EndTheStreakTX and commit to driving safely to end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roads.

11/02/2020

The new SH 6/FM 1960 bridge at US 290 opened last night. The new bridge over US 290 will improve mobility in the area by allowing motorists to stay on SH 6 and FM 1960 without having to travel through traffic signals at Hempstead, US 290 and Wortham Boulevard.

10/28/2020

TxDOT Extends Period for Public Review and Comment on NHHIP Final EIS

TxDOT is extending the time period for public review and comment on the North Houston Highway Improvement Project Final Environmental Impact Statement from Nov. 9 until Dec. 9, 2020. Get the details at https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/houston/027-2020.html

HOUSTON – Continuing efforts to enhance the interface, transparency and responsiveness to input provided expressed by the communities and stakeholders in proximity to the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is extending the time period ...

10/13/2020

Congratulations to TxDOT Houston Deputy District Engineer Varuna Singh, P.E. for being announced as the winner of the Luther DeBerry Award at the 94th Annual Transportation Short Course. The award recognizes the outstanding contribution to the field of transportation in Texas.

10/09/2020

Update at 7:15 pm on 10/9: The Galveston ferry is back in service and is now loading traffic again. Thank you for your patience. We will provide additional updates if needed.

Update at 2:05 pm on 10/9: Around 2:30 we will temporarily suspend service due to current weather conditions for safety. We will resume service once weather conditions improve. Updates will be posted as we have them.

As of 8:15 am on 10/9: At this time low profile/ low clearance vehicles such as RVs will not be allowed on the ferry boats due to high-tide conditions. We will continue to operate for other vehicles.

10/08/2020

Houston TranStar - Road Construction

Major closures scheduled for this weekend on I-10 in the Downtown Houston area have been postponed until next weekend due to the potential for inclement weather. Get the list of updated TxDOT Houston District construction closures here:

All closures are subject to change due to weather, emergency work, or other events. Public Information Office: 713-802-5076

09/25/2020

www.ih45northandmore.com

TxDOT would like to announce that the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is now complete for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) and available for review at www.IH45NorthandMore.com. The Final EIS is more refined and definitive than the Draft EIS and incorporates the input received on the Draft EIS and reflects changes to the project proposed as a result of that input.

Additionally, TxDOT recently prepared a series of white papers titled “NHHIP Project Facts & Highlights” to help summarize the contents of the Final EIS to help convey concise and key information regarding matters of high-priority to the public. Check them out in English and Spanish at: http://ih45northandmore.com/NHHIP_Project_Facts_And_Highlights.aspx

09/23/2020

All our ferry equipment is in ship shape after Beta. Bouy, it’s knot a bad day for a ferry ride, so we’re not feeling as stern. Here are a few ferry pretty photos now that we’re back at sea. Last but naut least, we’re all a-boat thanking our crews for seas-ing the day during the storm!

09/23/2020

Several mainlanes at I-10 Katy eastbound and westbound at Houston Ave were impacted by high water. Our crews discovered that it was due to a clogged inlet and had it cleared and the roadway safely opened to the traveling public within 10 minutes.

We are however still advising motorists to use extreme caution if choosing to travel on our roadways this evening. Better yet, stay off the roads this evening if possible.

09/22/2020

We have more than 35 high water closures through out Houston and surrounding areas. Click here for a continually updated list of weather-related closures:
http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/roadclosures/#highwater

09/21/2020

TxDOT Galveston maintenance crews having a safety tailgate meeting this morning before working to improve conditions on SH 87 in Bolivar/ High Island.

The ferry remains out of service due increasing winds and high tide. We are monitoring conditions.

09/15/2020

Work continues on SH 87 on the Bolivar Peninsula to repair damaged areas following Hurricane Laura a few weeks ago. While the storm hit further east, storm surge still impacted potions of SH 87.

09/01/2020

ADA Accessibility Questionnaire

TxDOT is committed to continuing to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and we are looking for your help!

On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits discrimination and guarantees individuals with disabilities to have the same opportunities as everyone else.

The mission of our Accessibility Program is to ensure that every program, service, benefit, activity and facility open to the public is fully accessible to and usable by people with disabilities in an integrated setting that fosters inclusion and does not discriminate. Now this is where YOU come in! Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and let us know how we are doing: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ADAAccessibilityHOU
Spanish version: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ADAAccessibilityHOU_Spanish

Your feedback is very important to us. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jannie Blackmon at 713-802-5008 or via email at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

08/31/2020

Westheimer is closed in both directions near Kirkwood from Grey Falls to Woodlawn due to a gas leak incident. Investigators are on site ensuring the safety of the area and assessing a timeline for repairs and opening.

08/27/2020

TxDOT’s Galveston-Bolivar Ferry has reopened for service. TxDOT’s maintenance crew inspected their equipment and began clearing the roadway from High Island. Additional crews rode the ferry to Bolivar and cleared the roadway from the ferry landing to ensure the ferry and roadway is safe for traffic. After assessing damage and readying equipment this morning, the ferry vessels went into service to carry the public at 9:45 a.m.

08/26/2020

Making sure we are storm ready. Our crews have inspected the Galveston-Bolivar Ferry Office facility and vessels to ensure all vessels are secured in their docks with proper storm mooring lines and wire cables.

08/26/2020

TxDOT has temporarily waived tolls on SH 99/Grand Parkway to aid #Laura evacuations, effective Tuesday, 8/25/20 at 7PM.

08/26/2020

Due to the strengthening and anticipated landfall of Hurricane Laura coming out of the Gulf of Mexico, TxDOT’s Galveston-Bolivar Ferry Office will pause ferry service at 11:30 p.m. August 25. The planned interruption in service is to safely secure all vessels in advance of deteriorating conditions due to Hurricane Laura, and allow employees to take cover and/or to evacuate.

The storm is increasing in strength and conditions will likely quickly diminish over the next 24-48 hours, so TxDOT wants to give the public an anticipated time ferry operations will cease so the public can plan accordingly. The next high tide is predicted to be at 1:36 a.m. on August 26. After the storm has passed, an assessment of equipment will be made and ferry service will be resumed as quickly as safely possible. The timeline to resume operations will be based on the any damage sustained and the severity of the storm.

08/20/2020

Please see below for details of MAJOR closures that will facilitate the completion of emergency repairs for the McKinney St. Exit Ramp from IH 45 Southbound, above IH 45 Northbound.

IH 45 Northbound Mainlanes at IH 69 Direct Connector: Total Closure Continuously between 9:00 PM on Friday, 08.21.20 and 5:00 AM on Monday 08.24.20.. Detour by proceeding Northbound on IH 45 Northbound to the IH 69 Northbound Direct Connector; Follow the IH 69 Northbound to the IH 610 (North Loop) Westbound; Follow IH 610 (North Loop) Westbound to IH 45 North or Southbound.

IH 69 Southbound Direct Connector to IH 45 Northbound: Total Closure Continuously between 8:00 PM on Friday, 08.21.20 and 5:00 AM on Monday 08.24.20.. Detour by proceeding Southbound on IH 69 Southbound to the IH 610 (West Loop) Northbound; Follow IH 610 (West Loop) Northbound to IH 10 Eastbound. Follow IH 10 Eastbound to IH 45 North or Southbound.

IH 69 Northbound Direct Connector to IH 45 Northbound: Total Closure Continuously between 8:00 PM on Friday, 08.21.20 and 5:00 AM on Monday 08.24.20.. Detour by proceeding Northbound on IH 69 Northbound; Follow the IH 69 Northbound to the IH 610 (North Loop) Westbound; Follow IH 610 (North Loop) Westbound to IH 45 North or Southbound.

Spur-5 Direct Connector to IH 45 Northbound: Total Closure Continuously between 8:00 PM on Friday, 08.21.20 and 5:00 AM on Monday 08.24.20.. Detour by proceeding Northbound on TX 5 Spur to the IH 69 Northbound Direct Connector; Follow the IH 69 Northbound to the IH 610 (North Loop) Westbound; Follow IH 610 (North Loop) Westbound to IH 45 North or Southbound.

Scott St. Exit Ramp from Spur 5 Northbound: Total Closure Continuously between 8:00 PM on Friday, 08.21.20 and 5:00 AM on Monday 08.24.20.

Scott St. Entrance Ramp to IH 45 Northbound: Total Closure Continuously between 8:00 PM on Friday, 08.21.20 and 5:00 AM on Monday 08.24.20.

Cullen Blvd. Entrance Ramp to IH 45 Northbound: Total Closure Continuously between 8:00 PM on Friday, 08.21.20 and 5:00 AM on Monday 08.24.20.

Telephone Rd. Entrance Ramp to IH 45 Northbound: Total Closure Continuously between 8:00 PM on Friday, 08.21.20 and 5:00 AM on Monday 08.24.20.

08/13/2020

Houston TranStar - Traffic Map

MAJOR FREEWAY CLOSURE: As part of the I-610 West Loop/ I-69 Southwest Freeway interchange project, the Texas Department of Transportation will close all northbound and southbound mainlanes of I-69 Southwest Freeway between between I-610 West Loop and S. Rice Avenue beginning Friday, August 14 at 9 p.m. until Monday, August 17 at 5 a.m.

Crews will be working on placing bridge beams for the new I-610 West Loop northbound connector to I-69 Southwest Freeway southbound. The beams span over the mainlanes of I-69 Southwest Freeway.
There will be additional impacts during construction including the closure of various connector, entrance and exit ramps.

These closures can be found at https://traffic.houstontranstar.org/swz/i69i610/.

Houston TranStar Traffic Map

08/10/2020

Join us in celebrating the grand opening of a brand new 6.4-mile section of the SH 249 Project, Section 1A! We are doing things a little differently with this virtual ribbon cutting this time around; watch this video for a virtual tour of the new stretch of road. This new roadway stretches from FM 1774 in Pinehurst to FM 1488 in Magnolia. Tolls will not be collected on Section 1A until fall of 2020.

08/07/2020

Houston TranStar - Road Construction

Major closures NEXT weekend:

IH 610 East Loop (EL) Southbound Mainlanes at Port of Houston Exit(29): Total Closure Continuously between 9:00 PM on Friday, 08.14.20 and 5:00 AM on Monday 08.17.20. Detour by proceeding Southbound on IH 610 Southbound to IH 10 Westbound; Follow IH 10 Westbound to IH 69 Southbound; Follow IH 69 Southbound to IH 45 Southbound; Follow IH 45 Southbound to IH 610 East/Westbound.

IH 610 East Loop (EL) Northbound Mainlanes at SH 225 : Total Closure Continuously between 9:00 PM on Friday, 08.14.20 and 5:00 AM on Monday 08.17.20. Detour by proceeding Northbound on IH 610 Northbound to SH 225 Westbound; Follow SH 225 Westbound to Broadway St. intersection; Make a U-Turn left (East) at Broadway St. to Enter SH 225 Eastbound; Follow SH 225 Eastbound to IH 610 Westbound; Follow IH 610 Westbound to IH 45 Northbound; Follow IH 45 Northbound to IH 69 Northbound; Follow IH 69 Northbound to IH 10 Eastbound; Follow IH 10 Eastbound to IH 610 Northbound.

• Commuters coming from West of IH 45; Detour by proceeding Eastbound on IH 610 Eastbound; Follow IH 610 Eastbound to IH 45 Northbound; Follow IH 45 Northbound to IH 69 Northbound; Follow IH 69 Northbound to IH 10 Eastbound; Follow IH 10 Eastbound to IH 610 Northbound.

There are additional closures associated with this work and these closures can be found at http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/construction/.

All closures are subject to change due to weather, emergency work, or other events. Public Information Office: 713-802-5076

08/06/2020

New Section of SH 249 to Open for Drivers

A brand new 6.4-mile section of the SH 249 Project, Section 1A, is scheduled to open to the public on Aug. 8, 2020. Section 1A stretches from FM 1774 in Pinehurst to FM 1488 in Magnolia, and is a controlled-access tollway with intermittent frontage roads.

A new 6.4-mile section of the SH 249 Project, Section 1A, is scheduled to open to the public on Aug. 8, 2020.