I-45 Coalition website and status update

The I-45 Coalition has itself an updated website, and a status report on the I-45 expansion project, which has been on hold for awhile.

Where are we right now?

Currently, the project should be in the Schematic Design & Environmental Phase. This is the phase where TxDOT determines where exactly they would like to put the 12 lanes of traffic. Four (4) lanes going South, four (4) lanes going North (the main traffic lanes) and the additional 4 Managed Lanes. This phase began in November 2005 and was supposed to take 2 to 3 years and will include several public meetings.

However, in August 2005, Congress passed the SAFE, ACCOUNTABLE, FLEXIBLE, EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS, known as SAFETEA-LU. This act went into effect in 2006. Due to this act, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued new requirements TxDOT must now comply with these new rules and regulations before they can continue on this project. TxDOT must prepare a "Purpose and Need Statement" and a "Coordination Plan" before they can do anything regarding I-45. This has temporarily stopped the I-45 process until they get the green light from FHWA. The delay started around last year and is still continuing today.

I must admit, I had almost forgotten this was still going on. For those of you who'd like to do something about I-45 now, here's an event to add to your calendar:

The I-45 Coalition will be speaking at Houston City Council on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 starting at 2:00 p.m. to present the views of the members of the I-45 Coalition and our strong endorsement of the I-45 Parkway & Tunnel. We need to pack the room with people who support the Tunnel. You will not have to speak - merely attend and show City Council that this is what we want to happen in our neighborhood! We do NOT want an I-10 on I-45!!

Visit the I-45 Coalition website for more information about this.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on September 23, 2007 to Planes, Trains, and Automobiles