Closures at I-45 North Freeway at downtown begin

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Thousands of drivers will be seeking detours, as downtown residents and commuters brace for more road closures on I-45 this weekend.

There is currently construction along Allen Parkway to add traffic signals and additional parking, and last week, Houston Avenue closed between Lubbock and Rusk for reconstruction.

Starting Friday night, TXDOT has announced two additional closures for those of you who spend time in Downtown:

IH-45 NORTH

Southbound Entrance Ramp from ALLEN PARKWAY. Total Closure. Closed permanently beginning Friday, July 8 at 9pm. A new ramp will be constructed and will be open to traffic in late 2016. Detour: continue eastbound on Allen Parkway/ Dallas, right on Smith St., left on Jefferson St., and follow Jefferson to the I-45 southbound entrance ramp.

Southbound Entrance Ramp from HOUSTON AVE. Total Closure. Closed permanently beginning Friday, July 8 at 9pm. A new ramp will be constructed and will be open to traffic in late 2016. Detour: from Houston Avenue take a left onto Rusk St., right on Smith St., left on Jefferson, and follow Jefferson to the I-45 southbound entrance ramp.

Metro is also offering a warning to bus riders, that commute times will increase across the Houston area because of the ramp closures. Bus stops will remain the same, but Metro released this list of routes which will likely experience delays:

Impacted Routes:

202 Kuykendahl

204 Spring

209 Kuykendal/Spring

212 Seton Lake

214 Northwest Station

216 West Little York

217 Cypres

219 Northwest Station/West Little York

221 Kingsland

222 Grand Parkway

228 Addicks

229 Kingsland Addicks

236 Maxey

255 Kingwood

256 Eastex

257 Townsen

137 Northshore Express

102 Bush IAH

108 Veterans Memorial

85 Antoine/Washington

The I-45 ramp closures are expected to affect traffic routes until late this year.