The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is currently undertaking the Brazos River Bridge project, which necessitates various road closures. Staying informed about these closures is crucial for commuters and residents in and around Sugar Land, Texas. Official notifications regarding these closures are disseminated by TxDOT as they become available.
Recent Lane Closures for Emergency Repairs
Updated: January 22
Following recent snowplow operations on US-59/IH-69, damage to the work zone striping on the Brazos River bridge required immediate attention. TxDOT promptly scheduled overnight emergency repairs which commenced on January 22 at 6 p.m. and were completed by January 23 at 5 a.m.
These emergency repairs involved a phased approach to lane closures:
- Phase One: Closure of 3 Northbound and 3 Southbound lanes, with traffic utilizing the remaining two lanes.
- Phase Two: Closure of the remaining 2 Northbound and 2 Southbound lanes, redirecting traffic to the three newly repaired lanes.
Crews worked diligently to replace the damaged work zone striping on both Northbound and Southbound main lanes. Motorists were advised to exercise caution around work crews and anticipate potential traffic delays. For real-time traffic updates in Sugar Land, residents were directed to visit its.sugarlandtx.gov.
Closure of Mountain Bike Trails near Construction Zone
For public safety, mountain bike trails within the US 59/Brazos River Bridge Construction Zone, specifically the Tower Trail and the New Territory Bike Trail, are currently closed. Disregarding warning signs and barriers in active construction zones poses significant safety risks to both trail users and construction workers. The public is urged to respect these closures and avoid these trail areas until the Brazos River Bridge Project is completed.
Long-Term Road Closures in Effect
TxDOT has implemented several long-term closures as part of the Brazos River Bridge project:
- US 59/IH 69 Northbound University Blvd. Exit Ramp: Completely closed. Motorists can use Temporary Exit Ramp 107 to access University Blvd.
- Northbound Frontage Road from Riverbrook Dr. to University Blvd.: Closure of one (1) inside lane is in effect until July 25, 2025.
- Southbound Frontage Road from University Blvd to Riverbrook Dr.: Total closure until August 5, 2025. Detoured traffic should use the newly constructed entrance ramp located 1/2 mile south of University Blvd and take exit 105 to return to the frontage road.
Motorists should remain alert to work crews and prepare for traffic delays. Please note that closure dates are subject to change due to weather conditions.
Understanding the Brazos River Bridge Project
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has initiated this project to extend the IH 69 bridge over the Brazos River. This extensive project is anticipated to last approximately 38 months.
These improvements necessitate temporary lane closures on both the IH 69 main lanes and frontage roads in the Brazos River area. The City of Sugar Land is committed to sharing timely updates on lane closures as received from TxDOT. Digital message boards are also strategically placed on-site to provide real-time information. Residents are encouraged to be mindful of construction personnel, expect traffic disruptions, and consider alternative routes whenever possible to minimize traffic congestion in the area.
The Brazos River Turnaround was permanently closed in July 2016 by TxDOT to safeguard public safety due to ongoing Brazos River bank erosion. The current bridge extension project directly addresses this issue by relocating the bridge abutment further away from the erosion-prone riverbank, ensuring long-term infrastructure integrity and safety.
Stay Informed
For more detailed information and ongoing updates on this project, please refer to the following resources:
- TxDOT Project Website: TxDOT’s project website
- Real-time Traffic Conditions in Sugar Land: its.sugarlandtx.gov
- TxDOT Contact: Jeremiah Fritz – 281-238-7900
By staying informed about these Texas Dept Of Transportation Road Closures, residents and commuters can better navigate the area and plan their travel accordingly during the Brazos River Bridge project.