Major West Loop closures set for this weekend. What you need to know to avoid a traffic nightmare.

HOUSTON – A traffic nightmare is scheduled to begin on the West Loop at the Southwest Freeway this weekend. It will continue for several weekends to come, too.

Construction closures will start Friday at 9 p.m. and continue through Monday at 5 a.m.

All I-610 West Loop northbound and southbound lanes at I-69 Will be closed. northbound traffic will be diverted onto the 610 feeder at Westpark, while southbound traffic will be diverted onto I-69 southbound. You’ll need to u-turn at Chimney Rock and then proceed onto 610 southbound from I-69 northbound. Yes, it is very confusing!

In addition to the main lane closure, the connector ramp from the West Loop northbound to I-69 Southwest Freeway northbound and southbound will be closed, as will the northbound exit to Westheimer Rd.

The closures are needed to hang bridge beams and continue other related work that is part of the ongoing 610/69 interchange re-build project.

The smartest thing you can do this weekend is to avoid this interchange entirely if at all possible. Traffic back-ups will be significant!

If you absolutely must travel through this part of town, alternate routes include Chimney Rock, Rice Avenue, Newcastle and Weslayan. Also know that the connector ramps from the Southwest Freeway to the West Loop will remain open. Remember, though, that these alternate routes will be congested with other drivers trying to find alternate routes around the West Loop closure, too, which is why the entire area will be very difficult to navigate this weekend.

“The I-610/ I-69 interchange is a major connection point of two of the most congested highways in the state of Texas,” TxDOT said in a statement,, “the $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.”

Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route during these weekend closures.

For updates and for more information, go to www.dot.state.tx.us/hou610at69/.

Here are the future planned weekend closures through February:

Fri. Feb. 7, 9 p.m. -- Mon. Feb. 10, 5 a.m.

Fri. Feb. 14, 9 p.m. -- Mon. Feb. 10, 5 a.m.

Fri. Feb. 21, 9 p.m. -- Mon. Feb. 24, 5 a.m.