Three miles of I-45 to close this weekend

Nearly three miles of southbound Interstate 45 will close this weekend in Dickinson and League City, spilling traffic onto the frontage road through the busy shopping corridor.

Crews plan to close the lanes from League City Parkway to FM 517 at 9 p.m. Friday, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.

Officials said the closing is needed to shift southbound traffic within the work zone where the freeway is being widened toward Galveston. The lanes will move onto new pavement so work can slide over along the segment from FM 518 to FM 517.

TxDOT spokesman Danny Perez said the shift is a “big milestone” for builders as it opens up new concrete for use while giving them a clear area to continue the work.

The segment, estimated to cost $122 million, widens the freeway to four lanes in each direction from three and rebuilds key intersections with local streets. Officials said drivers in the area should expect delays as traffic is routed to the southbound frontage road. Police will be on scene to assist with congestion, TxDOT officials said.