The Astros are not the only loss Houstonians will have to contend with on the east side of downtown this week.

Starting Friday, two major downtown freeway connections will close for at least three months.

The ramps from eastbound Interstate 10 to southbound Interstate 69, and from northbound I-69 to westbound I-10 will close at 9 p.m., according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Both ramps will not reopen until February, officials said in a news release.

To allow for the long-term closing this weekend, two lanes of I-10 in each direction will be closed between San Jacinto and I-69 in downtown Houston.

During the lengthy closing, drivers should expect heavier traffic along some nearby routes. Detours are planned, with those headed west on I-10 encouraged to use Loop 610 and I-45 from I-69. Those heading from eastbound I-10 to southbound I-69 could face an already-clogged corridor as a detour, along I-45 southbound via the Pierce Elevated to southbound I-69.

“There are other suitable routes, but this would be the official detour,” TxDOT spokesman Danny Perez said.

The closings are necessary, officials said, to allow for crews to have room for the next steps of rebuilding the Elysian Viaduct which spans Buffalo Bayou and the freeway, connecting downtown to the Northside. The new span remains on schedule to open in mid-2020, TxDOT officials said.

dug.begley@chron.com