The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) have reached an agreement on the I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project. According to a press release, both agencies signed a Voluntary Resolution Agreement to resolve the FHWA investigation of the I-45 Project and lift the pause on the project.
The agreement aims to address the projects impact on the community and provide clear timelines that will be monitored by FHWA. That includes detailed design, stakeholder engagement, affordable housing initiatives, right-of-way acquisition, flood mitigation and construction activities.
“This agreement moves forward an important project, responds to community concerns, and improves the North Houston Highway Improvement Project in ways that will make a real difference in people’s lives. Through this agreement the community will have a greater voice in the design and throughout the project’s life cycle,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “We have lifted the pause, and with FHWA oversight, TXDOT may proceed with design and construction.”
The $9 billion project will reconstruct I-45 North between Houston's downtown and the North Sam Houston Tollway to bring the roadway up to federal safety standards and enhance mobility.
"This portion of I-45 was built in stages in the 1950s and 1960s and the design remained essentially the same while the area population has doubled," stated Marc Williams, TxDOT executive director. "The reconstruction of I-45 will address mobility needs for people and freight, while also improving safety and a number of environmental mitigations that include critical measures to improve storm water drainage. Considering the recently executed agreements with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County, and now the FHWA, we are excited to get this critical infrastructure project moving with our partnering agencies."
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Source: TXDOT
