Highway 290 construction brings improvements for drivers

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- US 290 may be a sea of orange barrels right now. But there is good news: it won't last forever. Karen Othon, the public information officer for the US 290 project, says the entire rebuild is expected to be completed by 2017.

However, there are a number of incremental changes that are ongoing. Below, Othon gives us a full update. Remember to always drive carefully through construction zones!

Project scope:

There are 9 segments under construction (over $1 billion in construction) from IH 610 to Mueschke Road in Cypress. Estimating the project completion by end of 2017 which will improve mobility and enhance safety along the corridor.

Immediate impact:

The direct connector linking US 290 eastbound and IH 610 North Loop westbound directly to IH 10 is estimated to be complete by end of September 2014. Once opened, drivers on US 290 will be able to access a two lane ramp around W. 34th Street, and those on the IH 610 North Loop will be able to access a two lane ramp around TC Jester -- they will merge to four lanes running parallel to the West Loop and will exit to IH 10 Katy Freeway east or westbound. This will enhance safety at the interchange by separating the movements of drivers traveling on IH 610 and those going to IH 10

Weekend closures:

This coming weekend, weather pending, we will close IH 610 North Loop westbound at US 290 from 9 p.m., Friday, August 1 to 5 a.m., Monday, August 4. Then the weekend of August 8, we will once again close US 290 in both directions at the IH 610 West Loop.