TxDOT to close downtown stretch of I-10 Katy Freeway in both directions this weekend

I-10 Katy/East Freeway will close in both directions from 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 through 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25. I-10 Katy/East Freeway will close in both directions from 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 through 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25. Photo: GoogleMaps Photo: GoogleMaps Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close TxDOT to close downtown stretch of I-10 Katy Freeway in both directions this weekend 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

You'll want to avoid a certain part of downtown Houston this weekend.

The Texas Department of Transportation announced it will close all eight lanes of I-10 Katy/East Freeway in both directions from 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 through 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25.

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"Motorists traveling eastbound on I-10 Katy will be detoured to I-45 Gulf Freeway southbound to I-69 Eastex northbound to the I-10 East Freeway eastbound mainlanes," a TxDot spokesperson explained in a release. "Motorists traveling westbound on I-10 East Freeway will be detoured to I-69 Eastex southbound to I-45 Gulf Freeway northbound to the I-10 Katy Freeway westbound mainlanes."

Houstonians should avoid the area, since there will also be closures of entrance, exit and connector ramps surrounding the work zone. TxDot hopes that will allow construction workers ample space to complete this project more efficiently. Houston police will be on hand to assist in traffic control.

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The reconstruction of the Elysian Viaduct, a bridge structure that runs from Brooks Street to Commerce Street, has been planned for some time now with the intention of easing traffic congestion along this route. While this segment of the freeway did flood during Harvey, this task is unrelated to storm damage.

"It was needed to accommodate population growth, enhance mobility, and improve connectivity in the local area," TxDot press release explains. "TxDOT awarded the construction contract to Balfour Beatty in June 2016 for $35.6 million."