Controversial I-45 Expansion Project Set To Move Forward -- For Now
The Texas Transportation Commission voted to move forward with the project, but an ongoing federal investigation may force a permanent halt later this year.
The Texas Transportation Commission voted unanimously Thursday to keep a controversial I-45 expansion project in the states long-term transportation plan but warned that an ongoing federal investigation may permanently halt the project later this year.
TTC Chairman Bruce Bugg said the commission would give the Federal Highway Administration until Nov. 30 to finish its review of alleged civil rights and environmental violations, which has put the project on hold. If that pause is not lifted, the commission will remove the $7 billion project and its funding from TxDOTs 2022 Unified Transportation Program.
If no progress has been made and were still halted, and we have no viable path forward from FHWA, then our responsibility goes back to the taxpayers of the state of Texas, Bugg said.
The transportation commission will reconvene on Dec. 9 to reevaluate the status of the project.
The I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project would widen I-45 from Downtown North to Beltway 8, in an effort to "enhance safety and mobility, TxDOT says.
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https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/transportation/2021/08/31/407437/controversial-i-45-expansion-project-set-to-move-forward-for-now/