Transportation planners are hoping to eliminate a lot of the problems that lead to crashes and backups.

I-69 at the 610 West Loop is a traffic hot spot in Houston. The two freeway segments that meet at the interchange top the list of the most congested in Texas, according to the Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Danny Perez, a spokesman for TxDOT, says a project the Department has already started is designed to eliminate a lot of the weaving motions that lead to crashes in the hot spot. They want to give drivers more time to make decisions before they have to merge.

"You'll have increased capacity on connector ramps for instance," explained Perez. "So if you're going 610 northbound to 69 going northbound you'll have a wider connector that will be set further back."

The project includes higher and wider ramps along with other improvements. Perez says the work could take up five to six years but they're hoping to finish sooner.

"At some point in the future within the next year to two years, you're going to see more of the main lane closures where we're starting to hang beams," said Perez. "But thankfully we've not had to do that thus far."

The work will cost about $259 million and some of it is funded through Texas Clear Lanes, an initiative to unsnarl the state's most crowded roadways.

Important closure coming up in early January for the 610/69 interchange project. I-69 SW Freeway SB frontage road from I-610 to S. Rice will be closed beginning in early January and remain closed until further notice. pic.twitter.com/qnTYLNRgtL — HOU610at69 (@HOU610at69) December 18, 2018

Here are some nice aerial shots of the I-610/I-69 interchange project. We will be doing a lot more come 2019. Check back and make sure to let your friends and family know to follow us for updates. pic.twitter.com/f0MTSt3Xlf — HOU610at69 (@HOU610at69) December 17, 2018

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