If you thought traffic was bad now, eastbound commuters should prepare for more headaches as contractors will close the existing McAllen to Edinburg direct connector for approximately eight months.
In a news release, the Texas Department of Transportation said the demolition and construction of the flyovers at I-2/I-69 Pharr Interchange will require an additional temporary detour route starting this weekend.
The new traffic shift will occur between 8 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday and will impact commuters on eastbound Interstate 2 from McAllen who plan to merge onto northbound I-69C to Edinburg.
“The existing McAllen to Edinburg direct connector at the Pharr Interchange will close,” the release states.
To access the new temporary route, motorists will drive past the Interchange on eastbound I-2 toward San Juan and take exit 147B while staying left.
“From the I-2 eastbound frontage road, drivers will then loop around at Raul Longoria, access the westbound I-2 eastbound frontage road, drivers will then loop around at Raul Longoria, access the westbound I-2 main lanes, and then take the Edinburg connector to I-69 north,” the release stated.
TxDOT said the reroute will be a dedicated lane with no traffic signals.
“Dynamic message boards and directional signage will be posted to notify drivers of the traffic shift and to guide drivers through the detour,” the release stated.
For updates, residents can sign up for project updates at DPJVTX.com. Residents can also call the project hotline at (956) 803-3560 for additional information.
In the release, TxDOT said completion of the $303 million project is expected in late 2023.
“Once completed, the interchange connectors will each accommodate two lanes of traffic and Interstate 2 will widen to 8 lanes, between 2nd Street in McAllen and Steward Road in San Juan,” the release stated.
