The closure between Studemont Street and Downtown will begin Friday, October 9 at 9 p.m. The eastbound direction could reopen in 2027 and the westbound will remain closed until 2028.
The I-10 HOV connector between Studemont Street and Downtown Houston will close completely starting at 9 p.m. Friday, October 9, 2026 due to a new phase of the Katy Freeway reconstruction project.
The closure will be long-term. The eastbound reopening is estimated for fall 2027, while the westbound direction could remain closed until summer 2028.
Houston TranStar records the total closure of the I-10 HOV lanes in both directions between Franklin Street and Studemont Street. The measure is part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) I-10 White Oak Bayou Project.
The closure will begin on Friday, October 9 at 9 p.m.
Drivers who use the HOV connector to travel between the Katy Freeway and Downtown will lose access to this direct connection starting Friday night.
- Start of closure: Friday, October 9, 2026 at 9 p.m.
- Location: I-10 HOV between Franklin Street and Studemont Street.
- Eastbound: estimated reopening in fall 2027.
- Westbound: estimated reopening in summer 2028.
Reopening dates are estimates and may change as construction progresses.
Drivers will have different routes to reach Downtown
Houston TranStar has established alternatives for users who normally use the connector.
Drivers on Franklin Street who seek to merge into the main I-10 lanes westbound via the HOV arrangement should use Louisiana Street.
In the opposite direction, those traveling the main I-10 East lanes and normally using the HOV connector should continue on I-10 and take the Smith Street exit to reach destinations in Downtown Houston.
Houston TranStar maintains daily information about construction and closures, and restrictions may be modified due to weather or changes in the construction schedule.
The reconstruction of I-10 seeks to reduce flood risk
The closure is part of the I-10 White Oak Bayou Project, a reconstruction of approximately $407 million between Heights Boulevard and I-45.
TxDOT is raising the main lanes of I-10 above the White Oak Bayou floodplain to reduce the risk of this stretch becoming impassable during heavy rain events.
The project also includes the reconstruction of the HOV lanes and the Houston Avenue bridge. Once completed, Houston Avenue will pass underneath the elevated I-10 lanes.
General project details can be consulted on TxDOT’s I-10 White Oak Bayou Project page.
I-10 already has other restrictions near Downtown Houston
The area between Studemont Street and I-45 already has other restrictions related to the reconstruction. The main westbound lanes of I-10 between I-45 and Studemont are reduced, and there are also nightly closures of ramps, streets, and service roads.
Those traveling on other highways in the area can check our Houston road closures guide and the main restrictions on I-10, I-69, I-610 and other roads.
The closure of the HOV connector will begin at 9 p.m. on October 9. The reconstruction will continue through 2027 and 2028, with openings expected at different times for each direction.
