During the total closure, motorists traveling southbound on I-45 will be detoured to the frontage road at the Calder exit, continue through the intersection at Highway 96, and re-enter the freeway just south of Highway 96. Local law enforcement will provide traffic control to facilitate movement along the frontage road at the Highway 96 intersection.
W. W. Webber, Inc., was awarded the $21 million project in July 2007 to construct an at-grade crossing of Highway 96 at I-45, just south of Calder. The project is estimated to be complete April 2010. Friday's closure is necessary so that crews can switch southbound traffic to new pavement.
Officials say they have reviewed the schedule for remaining closures on this project to minimize impacts to Galveston during the Mardi Gras season. The next overnight closure is estimated to take place on I-45 northbound at the end of February and another one at the end of March as this project nears completion. There will be no scheduled closures during Mardi Gras.
Scheduled lane closure information is available on the Houston TranStar website at www.houstontranstar.org. All closures are subject to change due to inclement weather.