After the regular westbound exit off Interstate 10 to Highway 36 in Sealy was closed over the weekend, the exit to Rexville Road (Exit 718) was condensed with Exit 720 as a detour option back into town. This traffic pattern is scheduled for use for approximately two months as part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s expansion project.

City of Sealy’s staff was notified at the beginning of last week that the travel impact would last two months but Interim City Manager Warren Escovy said they were prepared when the time to shut down the exit ramp arrived.

“We went ahead and had several officers at that change-over time when they actually closed off the exit, things went smoothly,” Escovy said. “We obviously wanted a little bit more (preparation) time, but I understand there’s a lot of things moving on and TxDOT is working incredibly hard to try to get everything done by June of next year, so as part of that scheduling, we really had to get it done.”

Westbound travelers can also take the exit to Koy Road to Highway 90 (Exit 721) and Escovy said habitual travelers will likely soon adjust to the new route.

“There will still be good access to whichever direction you’re going. The people that come to work here every day probably will be able to figure it out,” Escovy said. “It’s more of a convenience issue, if you were out on 36, you’ll have to take a different exit but everything’s clearly marked.”

He said this wrinkle in the traffic pattern is part of the larger I-10 expansion project that will provide an extra lane of travel, one-way frontage roads and what Escovy said was an added bonus.

“The finished product next year will include oneway feeder roads, an extra lane and continuous lighting from the Koy Road exit, all the way to Pyka (Road, Exit 716),” Escovy said. “There will be lighting in the median all the way through town so what I think you’ll see is an excellent product at the end.”

As the interstate is expanded, he thinks more travel to the Austin County area will lead to more commerce around the City of Sealy.

“We’re very excited about this extension of I-10 because not only does it provide for an extra lane, and the additional lighting in the center, but we also get the feeder roads which I think will foster business,” Escovy said. “Businesses will start to pop up on those feeder roads like you wouldn’t believe because, all of a sudden, now they have access. Highways and freeways are basically controlled access, but the feeder roads are not so you’re going to have a lot of businesses there.”

He said although there will be a period to work out the kinks, the end of the road should prove to be a fruitful destination.

“It’s going to be great for the city and then it’ll basically bring more population to us and the ability for people to commute to work and for people to come live here and work in other places so it’s going to be a really good thing once it’s completed,” Escovy said. “I’d like to thank all the residents for the patience they’ve already been exhibiting, I appreciate people driving slowly and carefully and following all the traffic rules and really making sure this is a safe place to drive and to be. … And a thank you to the officials from TxDOT and Webber Construction for their diligence, they’re working hard to complete this project at such a quick pace.”