Drivers in the Houston area should prepare for major traffic disruptions this weekend as CenterPoint Energy closes all main lanes of Interstate 10 near the West Sam Houston Tollway for critical infrastructure upgrades. Originally slated for last weekend but delayed, the closure will now begin at approximately 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, and is expected to remain in place until 5 a.m. Monday, April 28. The affected area includes I-10 at the westbound exit for W. Sam Houston Tollway (Exit 755) and the eastbound exit for Dairy Ashford (also Exit 755).
The closure will allow CenterPoint Energy to perform work strengthening electric transmission lines — part of a broader initiative to enhance the resiliency of the Houston area’s electric grid. The project is being coordinated with the Texas Department of Transportation and local law enforcement to ensure safety throughout the construction zone. While all main lanes of I-10 will be closed, the eastbound and westbound frontage roads will remain open to help divert traffic around the work zone.
Detours and Alternate Routes:
- Eastbound traffic: Exit at W. Sam Houston Tollway and use the eastbound frontage road to rejoin I-10 past the closure.
- Westbound traffic: Exit at Dairy Ashford and follow the westbound frontage road to bypass the closed section.
- Through traffic: Consider using Westheimer Road or Memorial Drive as alternative east-west routes.
- Beltway 8 drivers: Depending on your destination, Highway 290 and Highway 59 are recommended as detour options.
CenterPoint Energy is urging motorists to allow for extra travel time, plan ahead, and closely follow posted detour signs. The company said it will provide additional updates as needed throughout the project.
From the CenterPoint Facebook page: “During the weekend of April 26 – 27, CenterPoint Energy will be working to strengthen the resiliency of our electric transmission lines along Interstate 10 (Katy Freeway) near the W. Sam Houston Tollway (west-bound exit 755) and Dairy Ashford (east-bound exit 755).
The safety of our customers, workers and communities is CenterPoint’s top priority. In coordination with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and law enforcement, all lanes in both directions of I-10 and the west-bound exit ramps from the W. Sam Houston Tollway will be closed from approximately 5 a.m. on Saturday to approximately 5 a.m. on Monday. The east and west bound frontage lanes will remain open to allow the flow of traffic to be diverted off the main lanes and around the work zone.
We’d like to thank TxDOT and law enforcement for their support. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this closure and thank community members for their patience as we complete this important work, which strengthens our grid, safely and as quickly as possible. CenterPoint will communicate additional updates on construction activities as they become available.”
