January 23, 2020
Due to a wide array of public concerns about the impacts of the I-45 expansion/realignment project on existing neighborhoods and bayou park lands, Houston's City Planning Dept. scheduled 3 public meetings to take comments. These 'community workshops' were scheduled for Jan. 30, Feb. 1, and Feb. 3. During the coming year, crucial decisions will need to be made on the future design of this project.
If there is enough public pressure put on the City, the City of Houston could use its influence to insist that TxDOT modify or do a re-think of its current plan. Dallas stood up to TxDOT and negotiated significant changes to a major highway project planned for their city; so there is some optimism that the City of Houston could take a similar stand with respect to I-45.
This I-45 project and the related planning process is particularly important because it will create a model and set expectations for other future highway projects in the region.
The current efforts opposing the I-45 project have been led by the Make I-45 Better Coalition, Air Alliance Houston, LINK Houston, and an array of community groups and concerned citizens.
Years ago Houston Sierra opposed the I-10 Katy Freeway expansion, which took over a former railroad right of way that could have been used by METRO. And when the I-45 expansion was first proposed more than a decade ago, Houston Sierra met with TxDOT and advocated that I-45 be limited to the existing footprint to avoid impacting adjacent communities, and that alternative transportation modes be considered. Studies have demonstrated that expanded freeway corridors don't really reduce future traffic congestion. In large cities, the way to reduce congestion and the negative impacts of mega freeway projects is to develop improved transit and other alternate modes.
Below are some important links about the I-45 project:
(also known as the North Houston Highway Improvement Project, NHHIP)
The 'Make I-45 Better Coalition' website:
This presentation by the planning firm Huitt-Zollars outlines the 'big questions' about the I-45 expansion and some possible options:
A critique of the I-45 project:
For questions or comments, contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com