Record of Decision - North Houston Highway Improvement Project
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Record of Decision - North Houston Highway Improvement Project

Purpose:

This notice advises the public that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the proposed North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) in Harris County, Texas, and that the ROD is available for review. The ROD identifies the selected alternative and signifies the completion of the environmental review process. 

Description:

The Selected Alternative includes construction of roadway improvements to add four managed express 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/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/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 Final EIS and ROD are available on the project website at www.IH45NorthandMore.com. Paper copies of the ROD can be made available by submitting a request in writing by mail to: TxDOT Houston District Office, Advanced Project Development Director, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, TX 77251. Requests may also be submitted by email, or by phone by calling 713-802-5070.

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.

Memorandum of Understanding:

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 9, 2019, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.

Contact:

Reference the following project number: 0912-00-146 
TxDOT Houston District
Public Information Office

Phone: (713) 802-5072
Email

Posted: Feb. 9, 2021