Eastside drivers deal with heavy congestion as TxDOT completes Braided Ramps Project

The shopping season has been somewhat of a nightmare for eastside drivers, but relief is on the way.

TxDOT is still finishing up its Braided Ramps projects on I-10 west from Viscount to Hawkins.

The construction has made it challenging for drivers trying to get to the Fountains at Farah and Cielo Vista Mall.

Traffic builds up on the gateway and drivers are forced to wait on the gateway for several minutes as they attempt to either get to Cielo Vista Mall or try to get back on the freeway.

The good news, according to TxDOT, is that the project is nearing completion.

Drivers may have noticed the Hawkins exit ramp on I-10 west recently opened.

Next will be the Hawkins entrance ramp to I-10 west as that ramp is scheduled to open December 21st.

The flyover westbound on-ramp won’t open until January 21st because some paving still needs to be done.

The project was supposed to have been completed in November, but Jennifer Wright, a TxDOT spokeswoman, explained to ABC-7 the reason for the delay.

“In this case the contractor was unable to just complete it in the date that we were pushing for and we were pushing pretty hard,” Wright said. “Pack plenty of patience and allow extra time, just budget extra time so that you can be calm and kind to your fellow driver.”

And while work is being done on the westbound lanes of I-10, some more construction work is being done over on the eastbound lanes.

The Hawkins on ramp to I-10 East will be completed and open in March of 2019.