Weekend traffic closures centered on southwest Houston area

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The total closure of southbound Southwest Freeway near the West 610 Loop highlight the traffic woes you can expect this weekend.

The area of the US-59 and West Loop interchange has been a real hotspot for slowdowns, and more closures are on the way.

The weekend closure of Southwest Freeway stretches from Newcastle to South Rice. In addition, the weekend closures continue on the US-59 northbound main lanes in that area.

According to TxDOT, the northbound main lane closures will start the weekend of Aug. 24-25 and will last for a few weekends.

Is the West Loop a key route on your nighttime drive? Each night during the week of Aug. 19, drivers will endure a total closure of the West Loop southbound at Post Oak from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to allow work on the METRO-dedicated bus lane.

Here's a breakdown of some of the most significant closures this weekend, and in the coming weeks:

WEEKEND CLOSURES - Aug. 16-19

• US-59 Southwest Freeway: Total closure of southbound lanes from Newcastle to S. Rice. Begins 9 p.m. Friday and lasts through 5 a.m. Monday. Alternate route at Richmond.
• I-610 West Loop: Total closure of northbound connector to US-290 westbound. Closures nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Sunday. Alternate route at I-610 eastbound and U-turn at Ella.
• US-290: Closure of four inside eastbound lanes from Little York to Tidwell. Begins 9 p.m. Friday and lasts through 5 a.m. Monday.
• North Beltway 8 ramp: Total closure from eastbound connector to I-45 on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Alternate route at Greenspoint exit.

UPCOMING CLOSURES

• I-610 West Loop: Closure planned southbound at Post Oak. Nightly closures planned Aug. 19-23, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly.
• US-59 northbound at I-610 West Loop: Weekend closures tentatively scheduled to begin the weekend of Aug. 24.

Do you hate Houston traffic as much as we do? Join the club!