Despite the claims made by local officials, I-37 is not in 'contraflow' mode, according to a tweet from the DPS, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
'Contraflow' is a move to make the southbound lanes of the highway northbound, to make it easier for people to evacuate from the Coastal Bend. It is also very dangerous because people can get on at familiar entrance ramps and find themselves driving against the flow of traffic, and police are needed for other duties in the evacuation.
The DPS says that is because the City of Corpus Christi has not yet ordered a mandatory evacuation. Voluntary evacuations are underway from Corpus Christi, and mandatory evacuations are underway from a dozen other cities, from Refugio to Port Aransas.
TxDOT says it will be operating courtesy patrol vehicles along the evacuation routes.The pickup truck will prominent feature the TxDOT logo.
TxDOT Says the courtesy vehicles will provide motorists with enough gas to get to a gas station is they run out, will push disabled vehicles off the road, and will provide water for motorists who are stuck in traffic.