COUNTDOWN TO FREEWAY CLOSURE
"Crews prepare for weekend closure of IH 610 North Loop at Ella"

HOUSTON - During the weekend of May 18-21, 2012, the Texas Department of Transportation will have a major freeway closure on IH 610 North Loop at Ella to allow construction crews to safely work on permanent repairs to the bridge deck.  In addition, crews will perform construction work as part of a $151.5 million improvement project for the IH 610/US 290 interchange.

On Friday, May 18 at 9:00 p.m., through Monday, May 21, at 5:00 a.m.:

- Total closure of IH 610 North Loop westbound mainlanes at Ella, including the entrance ramp from Shepherd/Durham.  Motorists will be detoured to the frontage road at the Ella exit and re-enter the freeway after Ella.

- Total closure of Ella, north- and southbound, underneath the IH 610 North Loop.  Motorists traveling northbound will be detoured to the IH 610 eastbound frontage road and U-turn at Durham.  Motorists traveling southbound will be detoured to the IH 610 westbound frontage road and U-turn at T.C. Jester.

In addition to the closures above, three inside mainlanes of IH 610 North Loop eastbound from T.C. Jester to Ella will be closed from Saturday, May 19 at 9:00 p.m. until Sunday, May 20 at Noon. One outside lane will be open and motorists will be able to exit to the frontage road.

Local law enforcement officers will be on site to provide traffic control on the frontage road through the traffic signals at Ella/IH 610 intersection. Motorists should expect significant delays and are encouraged to avoid the area if possible.  Please note the driveway to Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital at Ella and IH 610 will remain open.

The US 290 Public Information Office will provide periodic updates via Twitter.

TxDOT encourages motorists to use caution while driving through work zones. For more information, contact the US 290 Public Information Office at (713) 354-1532.  Follow us on Twitter @my290Houston.  All scheduled closures are subject to change.