Where not to drive this weekend

Would any of our weekends be complete without a major construction-related traffic jam on the Katy Freeway or the West Loop? Fortunately, we don't have to waste any time considering the possibility of a jam-free weekend: Big traffic problems are expected on the West Loop this weekend as new pavement is opened between San Felipe and Highway 290. The move means two alternate lanes of the northbound Loop between Richmond Avenue and 290 will be closed between 9 p.m. today and 5 a.m. Monday. That's a stretch of road we'll be avoiding.

But that's not all: There will be other lane closures associated with the work, too. They are:

• The ramps to the West Loop northbound from the Katy east- and westbound will be closed between 9 p.m. today and noon Saturday. Detour by taking the Loop south to Westheimer and U-turning.
• The entrance ramp from Old Katy Road to the West Loop northbound will also be closed from 9 p.m. today to noon tomorrow. Detour via 12th Street to Hempstead Highway to get on the Loop northbound.
• The entrance ramp from San Felipe to the West Loop northbound will be closed from 11 p.m. today until noon Sunday. Detour by U-turning at Post Oak, then U-turning again at Westheimer to get on the Loop.
• The ramps from the West Loop northbound to the Katy in both directions will be closed from 6 a.m. tomorrow until 5 a.m. Monday. Detour by U-turning at West 18th Street to the West Loop south, then exit onto the Katy.

The good news is that, by 5 a.m. Monday, the new lanes of the northbound West Loop — including a new entrance ramp from Post Oak and a new exit to Woodway and Memorial — should be open.

Also this weekend, all northbound lanes of the west Sam Houston Tollway between the Southwest Freeway and Bellaire Boulevard will be closed from 9 p.m. tonight until 9 a.m. Saturday. Detour by exiting West Bellfort and getting back on the Tollway at Bellaire.