from chronicle... Oct. 10, 2002, 1:54PM Ramp at Loop closed after starting to break away By RAD SALLEE and S.K. BARDWELL Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle State highway officials ordered an emergency closure of an outbound ramp from the Southwest Freeway to Loop 610 today after part of the roadway split off from the rest and began to slide away. The ramp could be closed up to four weeks for repairs, said Texas Department of Transportation spokeswoman Janelle Gbur. Engineers blamed the problem on the failure of a temporary retaining wall adjacent to U.S. 59's outbound ramp to I-610 northbound. A gap opened in the ramp and by noon it averaged about 7 inches wide and 200 feet long while continuing to widen. Texas Department of Transportation officials recommend that commuters avoid the area if possible. During the repairs, outbound traffic on the Southwest Freeway can reach the northbound Loop by exiting at Edloe, Weslayan or Newcastle and following the frontage road, or by continuing to the Chimney Rock exit and doubling back. The other outbound ramp from the Southwest Freeway to the Loop was already closed for construction. Both ramps from US 59 northbound remain open.
I feel for you Houstonians and that big mess around the Galleria. Are they still shutting 59 down every night?
One time, I was driving through Houston. I went up I45 and pulled up into downtown. There was no contruction, and the stop lights were working perfectly. The streets were paved very nicely. I got back on the freeway, then took 59 South. Traffic moved very swiftly, as all the lanes were open and not a constuction crew was in site. Then, I took the North loop exit on the West side. Traffic flowed through the exit very smoothly. I got on the loops, and I couldn't believe how fast I got through the galleria area! It was great driving without the added pressure of road closures and having to take detours... Then, I woke up...
