IH-45, SH-288 and More: Icy Roads, Ramp Closures Across Harris County

Icy roads and ramp closures snarled travel across Harris County, forcing officials to close interchanges and main lanes on several major corridors and leaving commuters to seek alternate routes.

Houston TranStar reported closures and lane impacts on multiple state highways. IH-45 northbound at SH-242 had main lanes impacted beginning Jan. 25 at 3 a.m., with interchange ramps closed. IH-45 southbound at SH-242 also saw interchange ramps closed the same day. The SH-288 managed lanes, northbound and southbound, were closed entirely, with all main lanes shut beginning Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. SH-99 eastbound at Riley Fuzzel Road experienced lane impacts, and SH-242 westbound at IH-45 saw ramp impacts. US-290 Northwest westbound at Skinner and IH-10 Katy Freeway eastbound and westbound at SH-99 Lanier Parkway were also affected by ramp restrictions.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported several icy spots and closures in suburban areas that compound highway disruption. Sleet and ice were logged at Cypress Rosehill Road and Juergen Road and along the Grand Parkway near Cypress Rosehill Road. Deputies noted hazardous conditions on the 9800 block of Jones Road and the 8440 block of West Sam Houston Tollway North. Overpasses on SH-99 and US-290 in Cypress were covered in ice, prompting HCSO to close ramps to prevent crashes.

The sequence of closures began overnight and continued into the morning and early afternoon as temperatures stayed near freezing in exposed locations and on elevated structures. Overpasses and managed lanes froze more quickly than main lanes, creating isolated but dangerous pockets that forced targeted ramp and lane closures rather than wholesale shutdowns across all highways. That pattern left many commuters unexpectedly blocked at critical interchanges during peak travel windows.

Local impact was immediate: freight traffic faced reroutes around SH-288 managed lane shutdowns, suburban residents in Cypress and northwest Harris County encountered icy local roads at Jones Road and Cypress Rosehill Road, and drivers approaching the Katy Freeway and Grand Parkway needed extra caution near Lanier Parkway and Riley Fuzzel Road. Law enforcement closed ramps proactively to reduce collisions and allow crews to treat surfaces.

What comes next is a period of continued caution. Road crews and sheriff’s deputies are monitoring temperatures and treating high-risk bridges and ramps. Commuters should expect delays on IH-45 near SH-242, SH-288 managed lanes, SH-99, US-290, and IH-10 at SH-99 Lanier Parkway and plan alternate routes or extra travel time until crews clear treated areas and ramps are reopened.