Notice Final Environmental Impact Statement Available for Public Review - North Houston Highway Improvement Project
Purpose:
This notice advises the public that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has completed the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the proposed North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) and that it is available for review. The Final EIS identifies the preferred alternative for the project. TxDOT will issue the Record of Decision document no sooner than 30 days after notice of availability of the Final EIS is published in the Federal Register.
Description:
The preferred alternative would include 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/pedestrian realms along the 44 Downtown 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 Final EIS is available online at www.IH45NorthandMore.com and also is on file and available for inspection at the TxDOT Houston District Office, 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas 77007 by appointment. Individuals wishing to inspect the Final EIS at the TxDOT Houston District Office may book online or call (713) 802-5207 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to make an appointment. In recognition of COVID-19, enhanced safety measures will be applied, including a requirement to wear a face mask, submit to a temperature check prior to entry, and follow social distancing practices. If anyone arrives without an appointment, they may be asked to wait outside to ensure we maintain appropriate occupancy within the room. When local officials reopen public facilities such as libraries and community centers, the document also will be provided at some of these locations. Distribution locations will be posted on the project website.
Comments on the Final EIS should be sent to the Texas Department of Transportation, Attention: Director of Project Development, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251, or by email using the email address provided on the downloadable notice below (to access the PDF of the notice click "Notice of Final Environmental Impact Statement" below).
The comment deadline was originally Nov. 9, 2020, but has been extended to Dec. 9, 2020. For further information or to request a copy of the Final EIS, please contact the Director of Project Development, (713) 802-5070.
The Final EIS 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 FEIS, please call (713) 802-5207 no later than 4 p.m. CT at least three business days before the date on which you would like to review the FEIS. 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 Dec. 9, 2019, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
Downloads:
Contact:
Reference the following project number: 0912-00-146
TxDOT Houston District
Director of Project Development
Phone: (713) 802-5070
Email
Posted: Sept. 25, 2020