GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas - Drivers traveling through Galveston County will soon need to plan for a major traffic change as the Texas Department of Transportation prepares to permanently close a key connector ramp as part of its ongoing I-45 expansion project.

Beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, the SH 146 westbound connector ramp to I-45 southbound will permanently close to make room for the future I-45 main lanes.

The closure is part of TxDOT's $226 million I-45 Gulf Freeway widening project between FM 519 and the Texas City Wye.