The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has announced that a frequently used freeway exit on the east side of downtown Houston will remain closed until the end of June.
This closure is part of the ongoing drainage work associated with the North Houston Highway Improvement Project, which involves a significant long-term overhaul of Interstate 45.
Initiated last fall, the project is expected to span nearly two decades and includes plans to expand and reroute I-45, particularly aligning portions of the freeway with I-69/U.S. 59 in downtown Houston.
The northbound exit to Polk Street from I-69/U.S. 59 closed this week, impacting access to major downtown attractions such as Discovery Green and the George R. Brown Convention Center, alongside venues for the Houston Astros and Houston Rockets.
According to TxDOT spokesperson Danny Perez, the drainage activities involve digging trenches and installing culverts, which are preparatory steps ahead of the freeway reconstruction.
In anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Houston is set to host seven soccer matches, construction on I-45 will be paused next summer to accommodate the influx of visitors.
“We’re trying to get as much of this work done as we can prior to the World Cup next year,” Perez emphasized.
Currently, there are no restrictions impacting southbound motorists on I-69/U.S. 59.
However, northbound drivers can still reach Polk and Chartres Streets by taking the exit for Gray and Pierce Streets, which runs parallel to the freeway.
In addition to the Polk Street exit closure, other nearby closures on the east side of the freeway are similarly tied to drainage enhancements as part of the I-45 improvement project.
St. Emanuel Street will remain closed through July 20 between Preston and Rusk Streets, while Capitol Street is closed from Chartres to Hutchins Street.
These closures are part of a significant investment, with $122 million dedicated to the drainage infrastructure linked to the larger I-45 project.
Further south, the stretch of Chartres between McIlhenny and McGowen Streets is expected to be closed until November, with this work also attributed to the I-45 drainage initiatives.
Perez mentioned that this section is inclusive of a separate $696 million initiative aimed at reorganizing interchanges between I-69/U.S. 59 and State Highway 288.
“This is all for drainage,” Perez reiterated regarding the current work in the area.
As the I-45 project evolves, longer-term impacts can be anticipated; however, TxDOT is committed to minimizing disruptions.
Perez expressed a desire to reopen the Polk Street exit as soon as possible, recognizing its importance for access to popular summer destinations in the Houston area.
“If we can get the work done sooner [than June 30], certainly we’re not going to keep the ramp closed any longer than we need to,” Perez concluded.
image source from：https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/transportation/2025/05/29/522610/polk-street-exit-in-downtown-houston-closed-through-june-for-drainage-work-tied-to-i-45-project/
