PORT ARTHUR, Texas — We've got a big update on the $70 million construction project aimed at improving the cloverleaf interchange at U.S. Highway 69 and Texas Highway 73 with one of the loops closing permanently this weekend.
On Saturday, October 28, 2023, the southeast loop of the cloverleaf, which connects eastbound Texas 73 to northbound U.S. 69, will be closed for good.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video first aired in June 2022.)
Drivers heading from eastbound Texas 73 to northbound U.S. 69 will now continue to Ninth Ave where they will exit and make the U-turn to head onto Texas 73 westbound and then take the ramp to northbound U.S. 69.
Also on Saturday the connector ramp from northbound U.S. Highway 69 to eastbound Texas Highway 73 will be closed, but it will be reconstructed and reopened at a later date.
When the project is all finished the Texas Department of Transportation hopes the new and improved interchange will be better and safer for everyone.
“It’s currently a cloverleaf design, and we will be transforming it into a turbine design, so there will be several circles kind of going in a swirling almost type motion," Sarah Dupre, TxDOT public information's officer, previously told 12News.
The plan is to add direct connectors, improve frontage roads and ramps, add retaining walls and widen some of the roads.
Some drivers have described the cloverleaf interchange as confusing, scary and even dangerous at times, with very little room to exit or merge. Area residents believe the issues resulted in crashes.
Since 2016, 450 crashes have taken place at the cloverleaf interchange. Sixty-one of those crashes happened in 2021.
TxDOT officials know the rebuild will be frustrating for some drivers. However, drivers are expected to benefit from the improvements once construction is complete.
While the interchange is under construction, drivers are encouraged to slow down and be aware of the change conditions.
"Obey the speed limit and avoid tailgating, and whenever there are periods of inclement weather, you know, we ask that they slow down,” Dupre said.
TxDOT expects the project to be completed by 2025.