La Marque leadership is working with TxDOT to minimize impacts, but we'll all have to find ways around the construction for the foreseeable future.
September 10, 2020
In addition to the existing closures, there is a planned TxDOT closure at FM 1764 and IH-45 set for this weekend. The closure is to install storm sewer drainage along the feeder road at the intersection. The closure will start Friday night through Saturday night, possibly through Sunday morning.
Download the closure maps as a PDF.
See all the area TxDOT closures in our area.
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August 31, 2020
TRAFFIC ALERT: TxDOT’s I-45 expansion project is upon us, La Marque. Major traffic changes are expected this weekend and there are new detours for accessing FM 1764.
City of La Marque leadership is working with TxDOT to minimize impact, but we’ll all have to find ways around the construction for the foreseeable future. Please register for Houston TranStar email alerts or text messages to stay up to date with the latest planned lane closures for our area. And remember, now more than ever it’s important to shop and dine local! Show some love to our La Marque business owners who are impacted by the construction.
This weekend the Texas Department of Transportation contractor working on the I-45 expansion project will be shifting the IH-45 south bound main lane traffic from FM 1765 to north of FM 519 into a new configuration. This change will require the placement of new pavement markings and a new concrete barrier wall. In order to accomplish the traffic shift, the following closures are necessary:
Date/Time: 8/21/20 at 9PM through 8/24/20 at 5AM
Type: Continuous closure of two IH-45 southbound main lanes
Location: Just north of FM 1765 to FM 519
Date/Time: 8/21/20 at 9PM through 8/24/20 at 5AM
Type: Alternating closures of the IH-45 SBML (south bound main lane) entrance and exit ramps
Location: From FM 1765 to FM 519
Additionally, please note that due to the new configuration, the IH-45 SBML entrance ramp from FM 1765 will be closed for approximately three months as the contractor works toward shifting the IH-45 SBML traffic from north of Delany Road to FM 1765.
Date/Time: 8/20/20 at 9PM for approximately 3 months
Type: Continuous closure
Location: IH-45 SBML entrance ramp from FM 1765
Here’s the explanation as why these closures are the safest option for citizens of La Marque and visitors traveling through our city from TxDOT.
Closure of Exit 15 (FM 1764)
To complete the demolition of the existing connector ramp and the construction of the new ramps to Emmet Lowry Expressway, Exit 16 (East Bound FM 1764) was closed and the traffic was detoured through Exit 13 (Delany Road). Proper signage and message boards were installed, alerting the traffic to use Delany Road exit. However, we noticed that the vehicles were not using the official detour but using Exit Ramp 15 (West Bound FM 1764), creating traffic queuing on the IH 45 main lanes.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s office approached TxDOT Galveston Area Office to express their concerns about the number of accidents (29) during the month of July. The Sheriff Department thought that one of the main factors attributing to these accidents was the queuing of vehicles on the main lanes exiting for FM 1764. To improve the traffic patterns and reduce queuing, the following measures were taken:
Adjusting the signal timing at the intersection of FM 1764
Addition of message boards along the south bound main lanes and
Designation of two left turn lanes at the intersection of FM 1764.
As the traffic continued to back up on the main lanes and cause accidents, the decision was made to temporarily the exit to FM 1764 and alert the traffic to use Exit 17 (Holland). This measure will avoid the queue on the main lanes and enhance the safety of the traveling public. The closure is estimated to last through the end of October. These measures were extensively discussed with the Galveston County Sheriff office, who are responsible for managing the traffic at this intersection.
TxDOT will continue to partner with the City of La Marque as construction continues to minimize impacts on our infrastructure, citizens and visitors.