Expect an elevated level of freeway congestion in downtown the next few weekends, when crews close a significant stretch of Interstate 45 – including the Pierce Elevated. Drivers on all downtown Houston freeways, however, are likely to feel the pain.

Frustration, however, is already starting to set in. On the Chronicle's Facebook page on Thursday, readers vented about the expected problems and offered help for alternate routes.

To start demolition and reconstruction of the West Dallas bridge spanning I-45, which was struck by a truck carrying a piece of construction equipment in September, both northbound and southbound lanes of the freeway will be closed between Interstate 10 and U.S. 59.

THE DAMAGE: West Dallas bridge downtown needs to be replaced

The closing starts at 9 p.m. Friday, and crews expect to have the freeway reopened by 5 a.m. Monday, just in time for the morning commute. The same 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday closings will occur for both directions of I-45 for Nov. 18-21, Dec. 2-5 and Dec. 9-12.

The West Dallas bridge, which opened to passenger cars after minor repairs and assessment following the hit from the truck on Sept. 2, will be closed until late December or early January, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

The map above shows the area of I-45 that will be closed.