Mapping out those big weekend plans? Be sure to also plan for a major closure at the intersection of our busiest freeways.

Beginning at 8 pm Friday, September 8 the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will close all northbound and southbound mainlanes of the Southwest Freeway (I-69) at the 610 West Loop. The main lanes will reopen again at 5 am Monday, September 11.

Another important heads up: Lanes will also be closed nightly from Monday, September 11 to Friday, September 15, from 9 pm to 5 am each weekday night.

These regular and recurring lane closures are part of the 610 West Loop/ I-69 Southwest Freeway interchange project. TxDOT crews will continue the construction of the new 69/Southwest Freeway southbound connector ramp to 610 southbound, as well as other interchange project work.

Aside from the mainlane closures, more ramp closures — including the nightly closures — will be part of this weekend and weekday work. Closure and detour information can be found at the official I-610 West Loop/ I-69 Southwest Freeway interchange project website.

That means motorists should expect big delays in the area this weekend, allow for extra drive time, consider an alternate route, and be sure to app-map trips before leaving. In short, Waze or Google Map wisely, drivers.

Police officers will be onsite to assist with traffic control, per TxDOT.

"We are certainly getting closer to the completion of the I-610 West Loop/ I-69 Southwest Freeway interchange project," TxDOT spokesman Danny Perez told CultureMap recently, "but to get us to the finish line, we have complete various phases of the project that call for major roadway closures. We do appreciate the public’s patience and we will continue to do all we can to minimize the impacts to the traveling public."

As CultureMap has regularly reported, the I-69/I-610 interchange project is a $259 million endeavor aimed at significantly enhancing safety and improving mobility by widening the connector ramps to two lanes, increasing sight distances, and providing remedies to eliminate weaving.

The project has incentives and disincentives to encourage the contractor to complete various phases ahead of schedule. Completion is expected in mid-2024.

In some good news for beleaguered commuters, as CultureMap also reported, TxDOT reopened the newly constructed southbound mainlanes of the West Loop bridge over the I-69 Southwest Freeway on July 17, meaner smoother passage for commuters.

Before departing this weekend, drivers can get updates at the Houston TranStar website and at the I-610 W. Loop/I-69 SW Freeway Interchange website. Follow the HOU 610 at 69 Twitter page for updates and more information.