Big changes are coming to SH 288 in the coming months as the Toll Lanes Expansion project proceeds along a 10-mile stretch of the highway between US 59 and the Harris County line at Clear Creek.

The construction of new toll lanes and infrastructure to establish toll operations should enable SH 288 to handle traffic much more efficiently.

As part of this improvement project, the Southmore Bridge over SH 288 will be closed for demolition and reconstruction beginning in January and will remain closed for 12 to 18 months, with a new bridge set to open in 2019.

While this part of the bridge construction is underway, detour routes have been established so that eastbound traffic can take the SH 288 Southbound Frontage Road to Calumet Street, where drivers can take a U-turn onto the Northbound Frontage Road.

Traveling westbound, drivers can take the SH Northbound Frontage Road to Blodgett Street and U-turn onto the Southbound Frontage Road.

Northbound drivers on SH 288 can take the Southmore Blvd. exit and U-turn at Blodgett Street, while southbound drivers can take the Southmore Blvd. exit and U-turn at Binz Street.

Beginning January 3 at 9 a.m., the right lanes of SH 288 Eastbound and Westbound Frontage Roads will be closed at Wheeler Avenue.

To stay informed, check out the Drive288.com/corridor website where you can sign up for email alerts, or call the information hotline at 888-328-8622. You can also text “Drive 288” to 24587 for text alerts. Additional information will also be available on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube.