Cougar news services
According to plan, the southbound side of the Pierce Elevated freeway closed last week. That portion of the road will be reconstructed and is slated to reopen in early July.
The Pierce Elevated is the section of Interstate 45 which runs between Dowling and Dallas streets downtown.
The following are some suggested alternate routes to use while the southbound lanes are closed:
If you are outside Loop 610 (north) on I-45 or U.S. Highway 59, and your destination is to the south or east of the Loop, use the eastbound and southbound Loop to access I-10, Texas Highway 225 and I-45 south.
If you are outside the Loop (north) on I-45 or U.S. 59 and your destination is south or east of downtown, but inside the Loop, use 59 southbound to the Runnels/Canal exit. Turn right on Franklin, left on La Branch, and left on Jefferson to access the 45 South entrance ramp (which will also bring you to Calhoun Road and the University of Houston).
If you are north of downtown on I-45 and your destination is downtown, exit from 45 to I-10 east, then exit Milam.
If you are outside the Loop (north, west or southwest) on U.S. Highway 290, I-10 or U.S. 59 South, and your destination is east of Loop 610, use 610 southbound and eastbound to access 45 South, 225 and I-10 East.
If you are outside the Loop (north or west) on U.S. 290 or I-10 and your destination is downtown, use I-10 eastbound to the Smith Street exit, which gives access to downtown.
If you are outside the Loop (east) on I-10, and your destination is south of downtown along I-45, use the southbound East Loop to access northbound or southbound 45.
If you are inside the Loop south of downtown on 45 or 59 or west of downtown on I-10 and your destination is east of Loop 610, use I-10, which is not affected (and 610 East southbound to access Texas 225 and I-45 South).
If you are inside the Loop on U.S. 59, south of downtown, and your destination is east of Loop 610, transfer from 59 to Texas Highway 288 southbound at downtown, then exit Loop 610 eastbound to access 45 South, Texas 225 and I-10 East.
Keep in mind that the connecting ramp from the Southwest Freeway (U.S. 59) to I-45 South will remain closed during construction. However, 45 South is accessible by using the Pierce/Gray exit from 59 southbound, then turning right on Pierce to 45 South.
Also, the connecting ramp from U.S. 59 southbound to I-45 is closed. To access 45 north, use the Shepherd/Greenbriar exit from 59 South and U-turn to the 45 North ramp. To access 45 South, exit McGowen/Tuam, U-turn, and make a right on Pierce.
Finally, the ramp from I-45 northbound to U.S. 59 northbound remains closed. Use 45 north to I-10 eastbound instead.
note that Pierce Street detours downtown beneath the elevated freeway, and again under the 59/45 interchange, to avoid motorists being crushed by falling debris. This may cause traffic backups on surface streets in the area, and makes travel from downtown to UH on surface streets more complex.
The freeway construction on 45 is complemented by projects on I-10 West from downtown to Loop 610 and work on the elevated portion of U.S. 59 downtown. Plan ahead if any of these projects interfere with your commute.