About the project

Map

Phase 1 encompasses the stretchof the I-10 westbound mainlanes from I-45 to Studemont. Planned improvements include elevating the existing I-10 mainlanes from Heights Blvd to I-45 to eliminated flood risk from the White Oak Bayou. This will also include the removal of the current Houston Avenue Bridge that will be reconstructed to run under I-10 mainlanes to eliminated further bridge strikes.

History

The I-10 White Oak Bayou Project is designed to significantly reduce flooding risks and ensure roadway accessibility during major flood events. This will be achieved by elevating the mainlanes above the floodplain between Heights Blvd. and I-45. This $407 million project includes reconstructing the I-10 mainlanes, the I-10 HOV lanes and the Houston Avenue Bridge.

This project will also feature a two-mile long, 10-foot wide shared-use path along the south side of White Oak Bayou connecting to the existing trail system. This enhanced pedestrian and bicycle connectivity with improved trail access will have upgraded pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure on the Houston Avenue Bridge. This 1.8-mile project is a resiliency project and does not include adding vehicle capacity to I-10. This project is needed because during major rain events, such as Tropical Storms Allison and Imelda and Hurricane Harvey, and even unnamed rain events, White Oak Bayou overtopped its banks flooding I-10 and making it impassable.

Based on flood gauge and TxDOT maintenance records, I-10 at White Oak Bayou has been inundated 10 times since March of 1992. Federal Design Flood Standards require intestate highways to remain passable during a 50-year storm. TxDOT standards require the interstate to remain passable during a 100-year storm. I-10 in the vicinity of White Oak Bayou does not currently meet the Federal Design Flood Regulations for interstate highways or the current TxDOT standards. The I-10 mainlanes were last reconstructed in this area between 1995 and 2000. All roadways, including I-10, have a design life which is the time from original construction to a terminal condition for a pavement structure. The I-10 mainlanes were designed with an expected design life of 30 years.