The proposed freeway expansion in downtown Houston has faced searing backlash from local residents who see the project as a relic of the era of rampant freeway construction and neighborhood disruption.
An article and accompanying video from CBS News profiles some of the residents and institutions threatened with displacement by an interstate widening project in Houston, already home to the widest freeway in the world. "About 1,000 homes and apartments along with 344 businesses, two schools, and five churches are expected to be knocked down to complete the project."
One of these churches is Mount Olive Baptist Church, which was rebuilt by its pastor after it sustained severe damage during Hurricane Ike. Now, the $9-billion plan to widen interstates through downtown Houston threatens his church once again.
Community activists cite the loss of property to eminent domain and highway projects as a loss of generational wealth as homeowners lose the opportunity to pass on property to their children. Meanwhile, displaced residents, even if they receive buyouts, have a hard time finding new housing as neighborhoods become more expensive and they are priced out of the areas they previously lived in.
According to the article and previous Planetizen coverage, "The federal government has put most of the Houston project on hold while it investigates possible civil rights and environmental violations."
Read the full story: Minority communities in Houston may lose homes, buildings due to freeway project: "Nobody cares about the people who are being displaced"
I-10 Widening Project Continues in Texas
The current work will expand the freeway to three lanes in each direction and shift a notorious bottleneck farther west.
Halted Interstate Expansion Could Proceed in Houston
Local and state officials have come to an ‘historic’ agreement that could move the stalled project forward.
Contentious Houston Freeway Widening Project Inches Forward
Federal officials have given TxDOT the go-ahead to resume work on a small portion of a controversial interstate widening project in downtown Houston.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders
The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.
NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses
Rush routes have seen a 4.6% speed increase after the redesign.
California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer
The California High-Speed Rail Authority aims to start servicing passengers by 2033.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
_from_the_ramp_between_westbound_Interstate_10_and_southbound_Interstate_45_in_Houston,_Harris_County,_Texas.jpg){kind=link}
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority