traffic watch

Prepare for more traffic headaches with Southwest Freeway weekend closures

610 loop interchange Southwest Freeway Houston I-69

Drivers should plan for alternate routes given this weekend's closures.

Photo courtesy of TxDOT

Despite the summer season, roadway construction in Houston shows no signs of slowing. Now, in what may come as frustrating news for drivers, the Texas Department of Transportation has announced more closures on two of the city’s busiest freeways.

The newest headache: As part of the I-610 West Loop/ I-69 Southwest Freeway interchange project, all southbound main lanes of I-69 Southwest between Chimney Rock Road and Weslayan Street will close from Friday, August 2, until Monday, August 5, at 5 am.

Crews will be working on the foundations for the new I-610 West Loop southbound connector to I-69 Southwest Freeway northbound. Motorists should expect delays and consider an alternate route. Police officers will be onsite to assist with traffic control, according to TxDOT.

As previously reported, the I-69/I-610 interchange, a $259 million project, will significantly enhance safety and improve mobility by widening the connector ramps to two lanes, increasing sight distances, and providing remedies to eliminate weaving.

“Houston is growing — and that's a great thing. But, we have to address the significant growth here now. In order to get us to a point where we can provide relief, we have to have these closures in place,” TXDOT representative Danny Perez recently told CultureMap.

Perez adds that the project has incentives and disincentives to encourage the contractor to complete various phases sooner than anticipated.

Commuters can find more information online here and here.

traffic transportation

no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana