TxDOT: Galveston alert
Look and Leave suspended indefinitely; Motorists encouraged to avoid travel along Interstate 45-Gulf Freeway southbound
The Texas Department of Transportation is urging motorists to avoid travel along the Interstate 45-Gulf Freeway to Galveston Island.
I-45/Gulf Freeway is closed south of FM 519 where the Texas Department of Public Safety has staged a checkpoint for credential review to continue southbound.
A dedicated lane has been established for emergency responders and essential employees; including state and federal resources, utility providers, active contractors and commodity deliveries.
The Galveston Island "Look and Leave" program has been suspended indefinitely and residents of the Island will not be allowed through the checkpoint.
"Motorists should be mindful that those who decide to try to venture south on IH 45 despite the warning not to do so will inevitably experience very long traffic waits only to be turned around once reaching the checkpoint. Fueling options and resources are very minimal at best and due to traffic delays the needed resources to try to provide such relief are being significantly delayed" said Raquelle Lewis, TxDOT public information supervisor.
Only residents of Bayou Vista and Tiki Island are being permitted through the checkpoint; however, it is important to note that electrical, water and fuel resources are scarce.
