be prepared to stop

Prepare for another major weekend closure at 610 West Loop and Southwest Freeway

610 loop interchange Southwest Freeway Houston I-69

Drivers should prepare for headaches around the Loop this weekend.

Photo courtesy of TxDOT

Local drivers hoping to trek around the Loop this weekend may want to reconsider those plans. The Southwest Freeway will close in both directions at the I-610 West Loop due to construction, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced.

Expect all northbound and southbound mainlanes of I-69/Southwest Freeway at the Loop to close from Friday, August 20 at 9 pm to Monday, August 23 at 5 am.

That means drivers heading to the Galleria area, Bellaire, southwest Houston, or downtown should expect major delays. Drivers should consider taking I-10 or US-90 to the South Loop and utilize corridors such as Westheimer Road, Bissonnet Street, and Bellaire Boulevard to navigate those near-Loop neighborhoods.

The closure is to continue construction on the new I-69 northbound connector ramp to I-610 West Loop northbound, which spans over the mainlanes of I-69 Southwest Freeway. The ramp is anticipated to open later this year, per TxDOT.

Importantly, this work may force a closure next weekend ((August 27-30), the agency notes.

As CultureMap has reported, this work is part of a $259 million project meant to significantly enhance safety and improve mobility by widening the connector ramps to two lanes, increasing sight distances, and providing remedies to eliminate weaving.

Motorists are encouraged to check www.houstontranstar.org and at www.HOU610at69.com or follow @HOU610at69 on Twitter for updates on the project.

transportation traffic city-news-roundup

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