Construction work has started on the US$13 billion I-45 expansion project near Houston in Texas. The project has been described as a ‘gamechanger’ for the city by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
The work is being managed jointly by TxDOT in partnership with the city of Houston, Harris County and the Harris County Flood Control District. According to TxDOT, the I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) is designed to expand roadway capacity, reduce congestion, improve safety, and enhance mobility along I-45 from I-69 to Beltway 8 North. It also includes rebuilding downtown Houston’s freeway system, which covers I-45, I-69, I-10, and SH 288. A key element is rerouting I-45 to run parallel with I-69 and I-10 through downtown Houston.
The work will take until 2042 to complete. TxDot also says that the I-45 NHHIP will address current population growth and also lays a foundation for the region’s sustainable development. The project targets congestion relief, improves evacuation routes, and promotes multimodal transportation options.
TxDOT says that the first phase, Segment 3B-1, will focus on stormwater management with the installation of box culverts to direct stormwater to detention ponds, enhancing flood resiliency. St. Emanuel Street will serve as a feeder road for this portion of I-45. This phase, expected to be completed by 2027, has a budget of $121 million. Following this, Segment 3B-2, set to begin in January 2025 and expected to be completed by 2030, will focus on constructing new mainlanes, frontage roads, and enhanced bike and pedestrian infrastructure on I-69 between SH 288 and I-45. The estimated cost for Segment 3B-2 is $695.5 million.
