US 287 Ramp to Southbound I-45 in Corsicana Closed until May 1

Temporary Closure Expedites Interstate 45 Frontage Road Construction Project

CORSICANA - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is allowing the temporary closure of the ramp to southbound Interstate 45 (I-45) from US 287 until May 1. The closure, which began Friday, is part of a $3.2 million project to build a new southbound I-45 frontage road.

During the closure, crews for contractor Ed Bell Construction Company will build a new entrance ramp as part of the new southbound I-45 frontage road. The closure is required because engineers determined a temporary entrance ramp in the construction zone would not be able to accommodate large trucks. The closure is expected to reduce the project duration by one month. The entire project should be complete by summer 2009.

DETOURS

Northbound US 287 traffic wanting to go south on I-45 must continue on US 287/Business 287 approximately one mile north of I-45 to the Business 287/Business 45 merge. Those motorists then will loop around to head south on Business 45, and then travel one mile to the southbound I-45 entrance ramp.

Southbound Business 287 traffic wanting to go south on I-45 will be detoured at the Business 287/Business 45 split. Those motorists will be detoured onto Business 45 for one mile to the entrance ramp to southbound I-45.

Detour signs are in place to guide motorists through the alternate route. Message boards have been placed to inform travelers of the pending road closure.