The Texas Department of Transportation’s $7.5 billion expansion of Interstate 45 through metro Houston is in limbo after federal officials sided with opponents of the project.
The North Houston Highway Improvement Project is one of the first in the nation to be halted based on civil rights and environmental concerns.
Harris County, which includes Houston, has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent further acquisitions of property through eminent domain.
“As currently designed, the project will not address our traffic problems,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “It will displace vulnerable communities. And it will make our air quality worse, harming the health of communities, children in schools who live nearby. And we can do better than the current design.”
In March, Federal Highway Administration division administrator Achille Alonzi wrote a letter to the Texas Department of Transportation seeking a pause in the project.
“There are numerous environmental and civil rights issues involved and FHWA believes that no further actions be taken on this project that might impact our Title VI investigation and any proposed remedies should the agency find that a violation has occurred,” Alonzi wrote.
Alonzi said the FHWA would review whether TxDOT was in compliance with a memorandum of understanding between the state and federal government.
“FHWA will similarly pause any of its activities and approvals, including but not limited to sign-off on the submitted Interchange Justification Report,” Alonzi wrote. “There are numerous environmental and civil rights issues involved and FHWA believes that no further actions be taken on this project that might impact our Title VI investigation and any proposed remedies should the agency find that a violation has occurred.”
Hidalgo said the move by the Biden Administration meant that "you can't bulldoze your way to a massive infrastructure project without community input, without considering smarter transportation options.”
TxDOT officials say they have complied with federal law and engaged in public discussion in developing the project.
“It’s unfortunate there is an expanded delay on this project, but TxDOT remains fully committed to working with FHWA and local officials on an appropriate path forward," said TxDOT spokesman Bob Kaufman. "We know that many in the community are anxious to see this project advance. This FHWA action indefinitely suspends key steps for this project.”
Earlier this year, the state agency completed the environmental impact process. By issuing a "Record of Decision," TxDOT said it completed a clearance process outlined by the National Environmental Policy Act and was moving to the detailed design phase of the project.
"TxDOT is committed to continuing to meet with stakeholders and accepting public input as it proceeds through future project development phases," Eliza Paul, the Houston District Engineer for TxDOT, said in a press release.
Among other changes to the freeway built more than 50 years ago, the plan calls for expanded express-lane capacity on I-45 and re-routing the freeway near downtown, including making it parallel with I-10 on the north side.
TxDOT said the purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow, hurricane evacuation routes and stormwater drainage, along with accommodating high-occupancy, electric and self-driving vehicles.
An opposition group called “Stop TxDOT I-45” said it would continue to oppose the project after the record of decision.
The expansion project will displace hundreds of homes and businesses along the planned 25-mile route, including in communities such as Independence Heights and Near Northside, according to TxDOT's environmental impact statement.
