Is Houston traffic usually super bad south of Westheimer or is it only because of lane closures?

Westheimer is fine to drive at 7 am or even at 8 am. and all the connecting roads the traffic is not that bad.

But seems like as soon as you go south of Westheimer, traffic is insanely backed up at around 7 am -8 am. near all the intersections at West Park Dr.

But all the roads south of Westheimer seems to get a crazy ton of traffic. Is this normal or is it because of lane closures?