HOUSTON — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will host public meetings to gather input and comments from the general public on the preliminary alternatives for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project.  At the meetings TxDOT will present the criteria and results from the 1^st level of screenings and discuss the next steps in alternative selection for improving congestion and mobility along the IH 45 North Corridor.

IH 45 North from Loop 610 to Beltway 8 is the highest ranking roadway in the Houston area on the Texas’ 100 Most Congested Roadways list, coming in at #3 on the 2012 listing.   The North Houston Highway Improvement Project involves evaluation of the IH 45 North corridor from near downtown Houston to Beltway 8 North, Beltway 8 North from IH 45 North to the Hardy Toll Road, the Hardy Toll Road from IH 610 North Loop to Beltway 8 North, IH 610 North Loop from IH 45 North to the Hardy Toll Road, and portions of IH 10 and US 59 near downtown Houston. The proposed project will address current and future congestion and current and future economic development and growth in the area.  The roadway will also be brought up to current design standards to aid in evacuation events.

Two public meetings will be held to present the preliminary alternatives and the alternative evaluation screening process.  Each meeting will include exhibit viewing and the opportunity to speak one-on-one with representatives from TxDOT and the study team as well as submit comments. 

The first meeting will be held Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at Jefferson Davis High School, 1102 Quitman Street, Houston, Texas 77009.  The second meeting will be held Thursday, October 11, 2012 at the Aldine Ninth Grade School, 10650 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77037.  Both meetings will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Written comments relative to the proposed project can be submitted to the comment box at the meeting.  Written comments can also be submitted to the Director of Project Development, Texas Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas, 77251-1386.  Comments may also be emailed to HOU_piowebmail@txdot.gov