N. Houston Highway Improvement Project presents road-construction alternatives to improve Beltway 8, Hardy Toll and 45

Map of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project shows the 3 segments of the project. Section 1 consists of Beltway 8 to IH 610

By Julieta Paita

Northeast News

HOUSTON–Last Thursday (Oct. 11) at its second public scoping meeting at Aldine ninth grade school, the North Houston Highway Improvement Project presented some alternatives for transportation improvements in three segments of the city (see map to the right).

Segment 1: Beltway 8 to IH 610

Eight preliminary alternatives were presented for this area:

1. Widen Existing with elevated managed lanes: Addition of director connector from IH-45 to Hardy Toll Road that includes four (4) managed lanes. Also includes widening of Hardy Toll Road to provide one additional lane inbound and outbound.

2. Widen Existing: Twelve (12) lane section-includes eight (8) general purpose lanes and four (4) managed lanes. Additional ROW will be acquire on West side of IH 45.

3. Widen Existing: Twelve (12) lane section-includes eight (8) general purpose lanes and four (4) managed lanes. Additional ROW will be acquired on East side of IH 45.

4. Widen Existing: Twelve (12) lane section-includes eight (8) general purpose lanes and four (4) managed lanes. Additional ROW will be acquire on both sides of IH 45.

5. Elevated Managed Lanes: Twelve (12) lane section-includes eight (8) general purspose lanea and four (4) elevated managed lanes on a single structure at the center.

6. Elevated Managed Lanes: Twelve (12) lane section-includes eight (8) general purspose lanes and four (4) elevated managed lanes on two (2) separate structures on left and right sides of centerline.

Last meeting purpose was to present and gather people’s input on the preliminary alternatives as well as to discuss the project and answer any questions.

Raquelle R. Lewis, public information supervisor and special projects administrator with the Houston District said that criteria and alternatives must be evaluated to meet the goal.

According to a document by the North Houston Highway Improvement Project, “Transportation improvements are needed within the IH 45 project area because the existing IH-45 facility currently experiences undesirable levels of congestions during peak and off-peak periods. Increased traffic on IH 45 from expected future regional population and employment growth would further increase the congestion already being experienced in the project area.”

In a study, the North Houston Highway Improvement Project found out that improvements to the portion of IH 45 extending from near downtown Houston northward to Beltway 8 North are needed because of several reasons:

The road does not provide adequate capacity for existing and future traffic demands, resulting in congestion, longer travel times and reduced mobility.

The one-way reversible HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane serves traffic in only one direction during the peak hours and is unused for large periods of the day, limiting its use.

IH 45 is a designated evacuation route for the region; at its present capacity, its effectiveness would be limited in case of a hurricane.

Portions of the IH 45 do not meet current roadway design standards, creating a safety concern.

Other deficiencies also include inadequate stormwater drainage (specially on frontage roads between Parker Road and Gulf Bank).

The North Houston Highway Improvement Project involves evaluation of the highways in the three segments and identify areas of concern and implement an integrated system of transportation improvements that would manage traffic congestion in the IH 45, provide expanded transit and carpool opportunities, expand roads for emergency evacuation; in one word, a solution to all deficiencies cited above.

It’s expected that by 2016 a Record of Decision should be completed. Environmental impacts will be also evaluated for the recommended alternatives that meet the purpose of the project and then a preferred alternative will be selected, including a no build alternative.

This project also requires the participation of other agencies such as the Federal Highway Administration, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), City of Houston, Harris County, Harris County Toll Road Authority, Texas Parks and Wildlife Departmant among others.

Public can submit their comments by Friday, October 26, 2012 via mail to:

Director of Project Development

Texas Department of Transportation

P.O. BOX 1386

Houston, TX 77251

or via e-mail to:

HOU-piowebmail@txdot.gov.

Your input is important in this phase of the project.