After years of planning and public meetings, TX-DOT will officially break ground Wednesday on the highly anticipated I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project.
The ceremony, scheduled to take place at 1:30 p.m. at Pitch 25 in downtown Houston, marks the start of the first phase of a project aimed at improving traffic flow, safety, and mobility along one of the city’s busiest highways.
KPRC 2 will livestream the groundbreaking in this article.
The $13 billion project has been in development for years, with numerous public meetings held to address concerns from the community. While the improvements aim to alleviate congestion and enhance the roadway’s capacity, not everyone has been supportive of the project. Some residents have raised concerns about potential displacement and safety, particularly for those living in the right of way.
According to TX-DOT spokesperson Danny Perez, the department has worked to address public concerns. “We want to make sure we’re bringing the public together to present them the updates that we have. Let them know what we’re doing to provide them with some of the information and changes that have been made along the process,” Perez said.
READ MORE: TxDOT buying White Oak Bayou land for $260K after years of community protest over I-45 expansion
Project overview
The project spans from I-69 to Beltway 8 North, with major improvements planned for I-69 between Spur 527 and I-45. The first of three phases will focus on drainage and infrastructure upgrades.
BACKGROUND: TxDOT holding in-person and virtual public meeting on I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project
Although some groups, such as “Stop TX-DOT,” have voiced opposition, TX-DOT emphasizes that the project will bring significant improvements to the Houston area.
A public meeting was held last night to provide updates, and another virtual meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.