Freeway closures make HMWESC visits trickier
Getting to and leaving HISD’s headquarters became a bit more challenging last week when the Texas Department of Transportation (TX-DOT) closed down a number of freeway on-ramps and exits near the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street, 77092). The building is bordered by US-290 to the north and Loop 610 to the east.
Perhaps the biggest change involves the permanent closure of the 18th Street on-ramp beneath IH-610, which previously allowed motorists access to the southbound lanes of the Loop and a nearby interchange with I-10. That on-ramp was permanently closed as of 8 p.m. on Friday, May 2.
Additional closures include an eastbound entrance ramp from US-290 onto the North Loop just past Dacoma St. (expected to last through April 1, 2015), and a westbound exit ramp to 34th Street off of US-290 (which has been closed indefinitely).
For more information about these and other closures related to construction on US-290, as well as suggested detours and alternate routes, please visit the TX-DOT’s my290.com website or sign up here to receive updates by email.
And, whether you work there daily or just drop by occasionally, plan to build some extra time into your commute to the HMWESC for the next few weeks, as Houstonians get used to the new arrangements.
The 610 entrance closure on 18th street has caused a big challenge on employees who are working parents with young families due to the heavier traffic. Unfortunately, the dpeartment I am currently working in only offers 7:30am-4:30pm and 8am-5pm work schedules. It would be a huge help if the 7am-4pm shift was offered to the employees by the Board. This could relieve the traffic around the North Post Oak Blvd to access to the 610 loop.