The Texas Department of Transportation announced Tuesday the westbound exit from Interstate 10 to Highway 36 will temporarily close for two months starting Friday night, June 25. Eastbound traffic will not be impacted, TxDOT said.

Sealy Police Department said Wednesday that short-term exit ramps that lead to Rexville and Pyka Roads are planned to be open later this weekend. Before the ramps are ready, the update says, westbound traffic will have to exit Koy (Exit 721 to Highway 90) to access Highway 36, FM 3538 and Pyka Road.

“The traffic adjustments are taking place over the course of two nights. Beginning Friday night, 10:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m., westbound traffic will be placed in the center portion of the BNSF and SH 36 overpass bridges,” a Wednesday update from TxDOT says. “New exit ramps will be constructed to access Rexville and Pyka on Saturday during the day. Beginning Saturday night, 10:00 p.m. until 11:00 a.m., work will take place to open these exit ramps to traffic. This new traffic pattern to access SH 36 is anticipated to be in place for approximately two months.”

According to maps provided by TxDOT, the new westbound I-10 exit ramp to Rexville Road will be constructed close to the existing Exit 720 – which will be closed for approximately two months – where travelers looking to access 36 will have to make a U-turn under the Rexville overpass.

“There will be message boards and detour signage displayed providing guidance,” SPD said Wednesday. “Police officers will be on location assisting with traffic control.”

The traffic pattern change at the Sealy exits is just one of the marks of finished upgrades to the I-10 expansion project. Last week, both direction’s traffic near the Brazos River was switched to the new bridge in front of Kathy’s Korner. Construction continues in the median as westbound travelers approach Sealy.

Interim City Manager for the City of Sealy, Warren Escovy, initially said he had requested a postponement of the closure but with the impending traffic influx from the July 4th holiday and Sealybration the next two weekends, the city threw its full sport behind TxDOT and Webber Construction.

“Due to time constraints with construction, it is an absolute necessity to have the construction start this week and City Staff fully supports TxDOT in this matter,” Escovy said Wednesday. “PD and (Streets Director) Lawrence (Siska) will do whatever they need to help with a smooth transition.”