Segment 1, Part 2
This visualization shows the proposed I-45 improvements from Gulf Bank Road to Beltway 8 North, moving from the south to the north. Cross streets include Gulf Bank Road and West Mount Houston Road. Farther north are Blue Bell Road, Northville Street and West Road. 

In this area, the I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project, or NHHIP, would widen the roadway to accommodate four lanes known as Max lanes. The roadway would have five general purpose lanes in each direction, with full-width shoulders added.  In the middle would be two Max lanes in each direction, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week carrying High Occupancy Vehicle, or HOV, traffic. 

At present, the limited HOV system in this area consists of one reversible lane, which takes traffic inbound in the mornings and outbound in the evenings.  Along the frontage roads, bicycle-pedestrian features would also be added. 

Just before Beltway 8 North, there will be an entrance from the I-45 general purpose lanes southbound to the southbound Max lanes. There will also be an exit from the northbound Max lanes to the I-45 northbound general purpose lanes. 

Moving northbound toward Beltway 8 North, a few of the cross streets include West Goodson Drive, Gillespie Road, Fallbrook Drive and Aldine Bender Road. A full reconstruction of the I-45 Beltway 8 interchange is not proposed. The project plans to build new direct connectors from I-45 northbound to Beltway 8 westbound and eastbound. 

Drainage in this segment would be improved for residents and businesses by the addition of 11 detention ponds, most of them close to the roadway. Detention ponds offer new accessible green spaces for the surrounding neighborhoods.