News Release: from the Katy Freeway Public Information Office
Final Ramps Completed at I-10/Beltway 8 Interchange
Friday, Aug 22nd, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2008
CONTACT: Tanya McWashington - Katy Freeway Public Information Officer
281-589-5969 / 713-834-2592 or email: mcwashington@pbworld.com
RELIEF FOR DRIVERS AT I-10/BELTWAY 8 INTERCHANGE
“Final Direct Connector Ramps Open for Service This Weekend”
(Houston) The much anticipated completion of the I-10/Beltway 8 Interchange will occur this weekend as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) plans to open the final two direct connector ramps on Sunday, August 24. Over the last 16 months, drivers and residents in the vicinity of the I-10/Katy Freeway and Beltway 8 have endured a multitude of ramp and lane closures, varying detour routes and almost nightly construction activities while TxDOT contractor Williams Brothers Construction demolished and reconstructed all eight direct connector ramps as part of the Katy Freeway Reconstruction Program. TxDOT along with its contractor’s commitment to delivering these transportation improvements as quickly as possible coupled with the public’s patience and flexibility created the opportunity for this originally scheduled two year construction period to be reduced significantly. Monday morning drivers destined to Beltway 8 north- or southbound will now have direct access from I-10 eastbound almost 8 months ahead of schedule. With the opening of these direct connector ramps, the I-10 eastbound entrance ramp from Kirkwood will also re-open.
Also this weekend, the I-10/Katy Freeway eastbound mainlanes throughout the project will be in its final configuration providing a minimum of four continuous through lanes with as many as eight lanes at key locations. Drivers have been experiencing reduced travel times when traveling eastbound as a result of this newly opened roadway. “The improved flow of traffic that drivers are experiencing on I-10 eastbound is a clear example of what is anticipated throughout the corridor when our contractor opens the new I-10 westbound roadway,” said Gary Trietsch, TxDOT Houston District Engineer.
With the completion of the eastbound mainlanes, the Inner Katy Connector ramp will open on Monday, August 25 after being closed for nearly three years during construction. Drivers who were previously using Old Katy Road from the Northwest Transit Center will now have direct access from the 290 Northwest HOV lane to the I-10 eastbound HOV lane as well as from the Northwest Transit Center to I-10 eastbound. Operation hours for the Inner Katy Connector are 5 AM to 11 AM and 2 PM to 8 PM, Monday – Friday. As construction activities near completion on this project, drivers are reminded that the I-10/Katy HOV lane will close on Monday, September 1 for final striping of the I-10 westbound mainlanes.
For more information on the Katy Freeway Reconstruction Program, including up-to-date information regarding lane closures along the I-10 corridor, please visit the Katy Freeway website at www.katyfreeway.org or contact the Katy Freeway Public Information Office at 281-589-5924.
