Updates

• TxDOT has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) and it is available for review. The ROD identifies the selected alternative and signifies the completion of the environmental review process.
• The Selected Alternative includes construction of roadway improvements to add four managed express (MaX) lanes on I-45 from downtown Houston to Beltway 8 North, reroute I-45 to be parallel with I-10 on the north side of downtown Houston and parallel to US 59/I-69 on the east side of downtown Houston, realign sections of I-10 and US 59/I-69 in the downtown area to eliminate the current roadway reverse curves that limit capacity, and depress US 59/I-69 between I-10 and Spur 527 south of downtown to remove the problematic weaving sections. The proposed project also includes reconstruction of mainlanes and frontage roads; addition of bicycle and pedestrian realms along the streets that cross the freeways, including a 15- to 17-foot-wide pedestrian realm that will create a buffer between the bicycle and pedestrian traffic and the vehicular traffic; addition of sidewalks along frontage roads; and addition of pass-through lanes on I-10 that will separate traffic desiring to go to downtown from traffic destined to go through downtown.
• The ROD documents selection of the Preferred Alternative described in the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as the alternative selected for implementation. It presents the basis for the decision, summarizes the mitigation measures that will be incorporated into the project, and provides responses to issues raised in comments received on the Final EIS. Although the ROD is the final step in the EIS process and results in a Selected Alternative, future changes and refinements to the project can still occur.
• The ROD is written in English. If you need an interpreter or document translator because English is not your primary language or you have difficulty communicating effectively in English, one will be provided to you. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. If you need interpretation or translation services or you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to review the ROD, please contact the TxDOT Director of Advanced Project Development at (713) 802-5070 no later than 4 p.m. CT, at least three business days before the date on which you would like to review the ROD. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodations may require time for TxDOT to arrange.
• Notice: Record of Decision available for public review
• Aviso: Decisión de Registro Disponible para revisión pública
• Record of Decision
• Appendix A – Summary of means to avoid, minimize, and mitigate effects
• Appendix B – Responses to issues commonly raised in comments received on the Final EIS

• TxDOT has completed the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the proposed North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP). The Final EIS incorporates input received on the Draft FEIS and includes project design changes made after the Draft EIS, as well as more refined and definitive information on the project’s environmental concerns, impacts, and mitigation.
• The final EIS includes three volumes which are available at the links below.
• Volume I contains the body of the final EIS and includes an executive summary, which can be downloaded separately at the links below in English and Spanish. The summary provides a snapshot of the project background and its need and purpose; summaries of alternatives considered and environmental impacts; and the preferred alternative to improve mobility and safety throughout the NHHIP corridor, from downtown Houston to Beltway 8 North.
• Volume II includes final EIS exhibits; schematics and typical sections for the preferred alternative; technical reports; and documentation of agency coordination and public involvement.
• Volume III contains responses to comments on the draft EIS and the draft technical reports for the final EIS.
• Final Environmental Impact Statement, August 2020

Volume I Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

• Volume I Main report
• Final EIS executive summary 
• Declaración de impacto ambiental final

Volume II Final EIS Appendices

• Volume II Cover and list of contents
• Appendix A: Final EIS exhibits
• Appendix B: Preferred Alternative Schematic and Typical Sections
  • Segment 1-December 2019:
    • Segment 1: I-610 to Tidwell Road
    • Segment 1: Tidwell Road to Shepherd Drive
    • Segment 1: Shepherd Drive to West Road
    • Segment 1: West Road to Beltway 8
  • Segment 2-May 2019:
    • Segment 2: I-45 north of I-10 to I-610
    • Segment 2: I-610 Interchange
  • Segment 3-May 2019:
    • Segment 3: Downtown Loop overall plan view
    • Segment 3: I-45 from Scott St. to I-69
    • Segment 3: I-45 from I-69 to Elysian St.
    • Segment 3: I-45 from Elysian St. to Wrightwood St. 
    • Segment 3: I-69 from Montrose Blvd. to I-45
    • Segment 3: I-69 from I-45 to Lyons Ave. 
    • Segment 3: I-10 from Houston Ave. to McKee St.
    • Segment 3: I-10 from McKee St. to Waco St.
    • Segment 3: SH 288 from Binz St./Calumet St. to I-45
    • Segment 3: Downtown connectors   
• Appendix C: Air Quality Technical Report
  • Mobile Source Air Toxics Technical Report
  • Carbon Monoxide Traffic Air Quality Analysis
• Appendix D: Archeological Survey Report and Coordination
  • 2017 Letter
  • Full Report    

• Appendix E: Biological Resources Technical Report
• Appendix F: Community Impacts Assessment Technical Report
  • Report-without appendices
  • Appendices
• Appendix G: Hazardous Materials Technical Report
  • Report-without appendices
  • Appendices
• Appendix H: Historical Resources Survey Report — Updated
  • Report-without appendices
  • Appendices
• Appendix I: Traffic Noise Technical Report
• Appendix J: Water Resources Technical Report
• Appendix K: Waters of the United States Technical Report
• Appendix L: Visual Impact Assessment Technical Report
• Appendix M: Agency coordination documentation
• Appendix N: Public involvement
• Appendix O: Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation
• Appendix P: Indirect Impacts Technical Report
• Appendix Q: Cumulative Impacts Technical Report
• Appendix R: Programmatic Agreement

Volume III Comments and responses

• Volume III Cover and list of contents
• Comments and responses on draft EIS
  • Introduction
  • Comment response matrix
  • Draft EIS comments
• Comments and responses on draft technical reports
  • Introduction
  • Public comment response matrices
  • Public comments on the draft Community Impacts Assessment Technical Report and Cumulative Impacts Technical Report

• Main report

Appendices:

• Appendix A: Draft EIS exhibits
• Appendix B: Plan View and Section Views of Alternatives
• Appendix C: Air Quality Technical Report
• Appendix D: Archeological Coordination
• Appendix E: Biological Resources Technical Report
• Appendix F: Community Impact Assessment Technical Report
• Appendix G: Hazardous Materials Technical Report
• Appendix H: Historical Resources Survey Technical Report
• Appendix I: Traffic Noise Technical Report
• Appendix J: Water Resources Technical Report
• Appendix K: Waters of the United States Technical Report
• Appendix L: Visual Impact Assessment Technical Report

September 2015-Revised Conceptual Layouts and Typical Sections for Proposed Recommended Alternative

• Segment 1: I-610 to Tidwell Road
• Segment 1: Tidwell Road to Shepherd Drive
• Segment 1: Shepherd Drive to West Road
• Segment 1: West Road to Beltway 8
• Segment 2: I-610 Interchange
• Segment 2: I-45 north of I-10 to I-610
• Segment 3: South of downtown Houston to I-10