HOUSTON —The Texas Department of Transportation is proposing the construction of a reversible tolled direct connector from SH 288 to the Texas Medical Center for the purpose of reducing congestion and improving traffic operations for emergency vehicles, patients and employees moving in and out of the Texas Medical Center.

Six alternative locations are being considered for the proposed direct connector and will be presented at Thursday’s meeting.  They include:

• Alternative 1 – SH 288 to Alice Street
• Alternative 2 – SH 288 to Old Spanish Trail
• Alternative 3 – SH 288 to Holcombe Boulevard
• Alternative 4 – SH 288 to Ardmore Street
• Alternative 5 – SH 288 to the SH 288 frontage  roads south of S. MacGregor Way
• Alternative 6 – SH 288 to Hermann Drive.

There was a 7^th alternative on the table when the planning process began which proposed constructing the direct connector from SH 288 to MacGregor Way. “Seven initial alternatives were identified and presented for stakeholder comment.  After receiving input from the City of Houston, the Texas Medical Center and Houston Parks Conservancy, the MacGregor Way alternative was removed from consideration,” said James Koch, P.E., Director of Transportation Planning and Project Development.

The public is encouraged to attend the open house style meeting, view exhibits and take the opportunity to speak one-on-one with representatives from TxDOT and the study team.   

The meeting will be held Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professionals, 3100 Shenandoah, Houston, Texas 77021 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Written comments relative to the proposed project can be submitted to the comment box at the meeting.  Written comments can also be submitted to the Director of Project Development, Texas Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas, 77251-1386.  Comments may also be emailed to HOU-piowebmail@txdot.gov. Comments must be postmarked or emailed by February 8, 2013 to be included in the public record. 

For more information, contact Raquelle Lewis at (713) 802-5071.