Environmental Study Released for $7 Billion Houston Highway Project

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) released a final environmental impact study (EIS) for the $7 billion plan to remake Interstate 45 north of downtown Houston—one of the biggest and most controversial highway plans in the country. 

The plan has pitted the competing visions of the TxDOT and the city of Houston, with a growing chorus of local officials and organizations opposing the project. 

The EIS will now face public comment, and the state and the city are expected to work together to refine the project even further. An article by Emma Whalen breaks the news about the big release and provides details of next steps for the EIS and the project proposal:

Next, TxDOT will issue its record of decision, and the Texas Transportation Commission will give approval for the agency to seek construction firms and begin work.

Eliza Paul, TxDOT’s Houston district engineer, said, however, that the communication process between TxDOT and local officials and residents will continue throughout the process.

Public comment for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project is open until November 9. Additional news coverage of the project EIS is available from Dug Begley for the Houston Chronicle.