Houston’s major construction projects and when they’ll be finished

Although traffic is unavoidable and not entirely caused by construction, there’s something particularly frustrating about unforeseen traffic due to construction. Luckily, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

If drivers are willing to wait a little bit longer, some of Houston’s major construction projects have end dates, verified by the Houston Chronicle. Below is a list of some of the city’s major projects that impact traffic — and when they’re expected to be completed.

If you have a construction project you would like an updated completion time for, please email [email protected].

Table of Contents

I-45 towards Galveston

Estimated completion dates:
From FM 518 to north of FM 517: April 25, 2022
From north of FM 517 to south of FM 1764: Aug. 20, 2023
From south of FM 1764 to north of FM 519: Nov. 16, 2023
From north of 519 to north of Texas City: Sept. 17, 2025
From south of Texas City to north of Causeway: Dec. 11, 2025

Have your beach day plans been unexpectedly paused due to unforeseen construction traffic along Interstate 45 south? Well, start expecting it because the straight shot to Galveston isn’t going to be clear of construction entirely until 2026. The often-discussed project aims to reconstruct I-45 and add more lanes.

Downtown portions of the Interstate 45 rebuild will cost an additional $750 million, officials now say, as delays and price increases hike the current estimates. Photographed on Friday, March 25, 2022, in Houston.

Godofredo A. Vásquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Project Brays: Almeda Bridge

Estimated completion date: Spring 2022

A once-pleasant drive along Almeda Road into downtown has now become a single-lane mess along the Almeda Bridge. The project, which is organized by the Harris County Flood Control District, will hopefully end soon. The project aims to widen the bridge with the hope that it will increase the channel’s capacity, widen the sidewalks and add a left-turn lane near Brays Bayou.

Shepherd Drive reconstruction

Estimated completion date: Late Spring 2023

This roadway construction, which aims to create better street drainage, has inconvenienced drivers and residents beyond imagination. There’s nothing that compares to sitting in one-lane traffic along S. Shepherd, waiting your turn for a green light that seems to get farther away the longer you wait.

I-69/I-610 interchange

Estimated completion date: May 23, 2024

Part of the most congested roadway in Texas, the construction for the I-69/I-610 interchange plans to rebuild one-lane connectors and hopefully make the overall interchange safer. Freeway closures are usually at night, but that doesn’t always stop the construction from inconveniencing motorists.

I-610 near NRG Stadium

Estimated completion date: Not yet available

Some of the most inconvenient segments of construction in the city, the construction along the 610 southwest loop adds several impatient minutes to your commute around NRG. The construction didn’t stop the Chronicle’s Raj Mankad from enjoying a bike ride along 610 earlier this year though.