The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has informed the University of Houston that it will close a significant portion of Spur 5 northbound from the University of Houston campus to downtown destinations beginning at 9 p.m., Friday, March 3. It will be closed for the next seven to nine months.
All traffic that travels Spur 5 northbound (the fully elevated portion from UH to downtown exits) will be immediately detoured to the Scott St. exit ramp. Drivers will loop around and turn right to access the I-45 northbound frontage road to reach downtown. Only the elevated portion of Spur 5 northbound to downtown destinations is affected in the first phase of the I-45 Northbound Direct Connector Project. Drivers will still be able to access the I-45 northbound lanes from Spur 5.
Drivers traveling from UH to downtown are encouraged to find alternative routes and avoid Spur 5 northbound to downtown destinations. Additionally, all commuters should avoid the area of Scott St. at I-45 or expect delays.
The work is part of the first phase of a construction project that will build a direct connector from I-45 north to I-69/US 59/SH 288 southbound and a second connector to I-69/US 59 northbound alleviating the bottleneck at the current I-45/US 59 split just south of downtown. Road construction is expected in this area until 2019.
For more information visit houstontranstar.org for a complete list of closures related to this construction project.