Major Crash Shuts Down I-45 North at Exit 59 Friday Night, Snarling...

A significant vehicle crash brought northbound traffic to a standstill on Interstate 45 North near Exit 59 at 11:03 PM Friday, February 13, 2026. The collision occurred during the late-night hours when the highway typically carries heavy freight and commercial traffic heading toward the Woodlands and points north.

The crash will likely impact Friday night commuters and overnight travelers for several hours. Drivers heading north on I-45 should consider taking US-59 North as an alternate route, or use local roads through the Greens area to bypass the incident entirely. Those coming from the east side can route through I-10 East to I-610 North and reconnect with I-45 further north, though this adds significant distance to most trips. The feeder roads adjacent to I-45 in this corridor will absorb heavy overflow traffic as drivers seek ways around the blockage.

This stretch of I-45 North between downtown Houston and the Woodlands has historically been a congestion hotspot, particularly during evening rush hours and late-night commercial operations. Exit 59 sits in a critical transition zone where the highway becomes narrower after expanding through the downtown core. The proximity to multiple refineries and industrial operations in the area means this corridor sees constant heavy truck traffic around the clock.

The crash blocked northbound lanes and forced emergency responders to work the scene during overnight hours when visibility and working conditions are more challenging. Traffic backed up significantly as drivers merged around the incident. Anyone traveling through this area should expect delays and reduced speeds as cleanup crews clear debris and investigators document the scene. Conditions should gradually improve once the roadway is fully cleared, though typical Friday night traffic patterns won't return to normal for several hours afterward.