Introduction

The TxDOT Houston District is proposing to reconstruct and widen I-45 South from south of the causeway bridge to 61st Street on Galveston Island. The project purpose and need is to reduce roadway flooding, improve mobility and congestion and improve hurricane evacuation.

Current Conditions

I-45 is a divided highway with frontage roads extending from the Galveston Causeway Bridge to 61st Street on Galveston Island. The existing roadway includes six 12-foot wide main-lanes (three in each direction) with 10-foot wide outside shoulders and 3.5-foot inside shoulders. The frontage roads include four 12-foot travel lanes (two in each direction).

Proposed Improvements

The proposed improvements include:

• Eight main lanes (four in each direction) 
• Four frontage lanes (two in each direction)
• A five-foot bike path and five-foot sidewalk
• U-turn and turning lanes at Harborside Drive, 71^st Street and 61^st Street
• A one-lane direct connector from northbound 61^st Street onto northbound IH 45

The proposed improvements would require approximately 2.8 acres of additional right of way.

The proposed project would potentially displace three commercial structures. No residential displacements are anticipated.

Next Steps

• Public Meeting – August 11, 2020
• Environmental Decision - Fall 2020
• Begin Right-of-Way Acquisition - Winter 2020
• Complete Final Design - 2022
• Construction to Begin - 2022

Downloads

• Project Location Map

Contact Us

Reference the following project number: 0500-01-119
TxDOT Houston District
(713) 802-5076
Email