I-45 construction made for rough trip back into Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Sunday traffic on I-45 is looking a little different than it normally does, with some drivers describing it this way -- "It's ugly," "You gotta be patient," and "You can get to Conroe and back through a few back ways."

While most people didn't want to see their weekend come to an end, getting home couldn't come soon enough.

Richard Conner was returning from Dallas to Galveston with a church group. He says he has seen drivers on I-45 jumping the line, crossing medians and even emergency vehicles having troubles getting through.

"It's been pretty treacherous and there's people cutting across jumping the median. We've seen a lot of police officers interacting with the drivers," says Conner.

The traffic was enough to have some people second guessing their plans. Christian Lopez had a car full of friends from Conroe and said, "We're trying to get to Houston to chill with some friends but I think we may just head back home."

The northbound lanes of I-45 opened earlier Sunday but work high above the southbound side went on past sunset. Drivers wee being diverted to the feeder road from 242 to the Woodlands Parkway/Robinson Road area. TxDOT crews are working on flyovers to improve congestion at the intersection.

It's expected to be open by 5am Monday morning.

Mike Norris put his skills to work while delayed. The Hope Road Auto Mechanic owner started helping people who were stuck.

"A lot of parked cars and people overheating, I've gotten a couple of stops where I've helped a few people get out of traffic," says Norris.

Richard Conner still had a long way to go when we talked with him but he was hoping to reach Galveston by the 10 o'clock news adding, "I live on the island for a reas