TxDOT March 12 Update

This post is to update you on construction impacts to the Clear Creek Channel navigable waterway under the SH146 bridge.  The closures listed below have been approved by TxDOT and the U. S. Coast Guard and are necessary for the construction of the SH146 expansion project:

1. The south (outbound) channel, directly under the SH146 bridge, will be re-opened on 3/16/20 and then closed again on 3/30/20 for approximately 2 months to build bridge footings (except dates listed in Coast Guard restrictions below).  There will be no channel closures from 3/16/20 to 3/30/20.  The north (inbound) channel will be remain open whenever the south channel is closed.

   1. Please be advised that the north (inbound) channel will have two-way traffic when the south channel is closed.  The two-way traffic will be managed as follows:

                                          i.    Traffic will be directed by a green and red signal on each side of the channel, indicating allowed direction of travel in the channel based on time.  The time interval is 5 minutes per direction.  This is based on feedback from the boating community and the U. S. Coast Guard.

                                         ii.    Flagging vessels plan to use radio channel 16 to communicate with approaching vessels.  Please pay attention to the radio and to message boards near the channel for any updates.

                                        iii.    Flaggers on boats will direct traffic during daylight working hours on weekends.

                                        iv.    To assist boaters in navigating through the correct channel, chains of red round buoys will be placed delineating the edge of the travel to the open channel, and prevent boaters from entering the closed channel.

                                         v.    At various times law enforcement assets will be on-scene to included Galveston County Sheriff’s Marine Division and U.S. Coast Guard to ensure adherence to this marine traffic management plan.

1. Message boards have been placed on both approaches to the channel to assist with notifying approaching vessels.

1. Coast Guard Restrictions: Per the U.S. Coast Guard, both channels will be fully open on the following dates:

   1. April 4-5, 2020 for the Performance Cup Regatta

   2. April 26, 2020 for the Blessing of the Fleet

   3. 8 a.m. May 22- midnight May 25, 2020 for Memorial Day weekend

1. Additional closures will continue to take place throughout the SH146 project as both sides of the existing bridge are widened and a new express bridge is constructed.  Notifications will be sent prior to future closures.

We will notify you of any changes or cancellations.