TxDOT committed to I-45 public engagement
TxDOT's deliberate and conscientious approach to public engagement during the December 2023 series public meetings held for the I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) underscores its dedication to fostering public engagement and transparency.
As TxDOT embarks on infrastructure investments to propel the region's transportation future, it is essential to highlight the project's significance and dispel any misinformation surrounding the approach to the public meetings.
The I-45 NHHIP is not just a response to population growth, but a cornerstone of the region's sustainable development and resiliency.
By addressing congestion, enhancing safety measures, improving evacuation routes, and promoting multimodal transportation options, this project demonstrates TxDOT's commitment to the Houston region's future.
TxDOT's investment of over $10 billion in the Houston region exemplifies the transformative impact of the I-45 NHHIP. This substantial funding promises to significantly improve travel times, enhance safety, and bolster connectivity across the region. As TxDOT prepares to initiate the first construction phase in the fall of 2024, a new era of transportation evolution for the region is anticipated.
At the heart of TxDOT's approach lies public engagement, ensuring that community input guides every aspect of planning and design.
Despite recent critiques, the December 2023 public meetings, conducted in adherence to the Voluntary Resolution Agreement (VRA) between TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), garnered a positive response to the engagement with nearly 1,000 participants attending the meetings.
The public meetings provided invaluable insights and perspectives from a variety of stakeholders, contributing significantly to the project's overall success.
TxDOT's thorough planning process, outlined in detail in the December 2023 Public Meetings Summary Documentation Report submitted to FHWA in February 2024, underscores its compliance with agreements and adherence to federal laws.
The report has been published on the TxDOT I-45 NHHIP website.
TxDOT is confident in its methodical and careful selection of both the physical and virtual venues to ensure sufficient accommodations were made to anticipate the needs of the participants, including ADA-compliant facilities and real-time translation services.
The meetings addressed the varied accommodation needs of property owners, tenants, impacted communities, stakeholders, and the public at large, including those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
In advance of the public meetings, TxDOT published translated legal notices in local newspapers, on its Hearings and Meetings webpage, and on its NHHIP website in English and Spanish.
Additionally, these notices also included accommodation instructions in French, Arabic, Somali, Swahili, and Kinyarwanda.
TxDOT placed display ads in community newspapers in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), and Vietnamese. At the in-person public meetings, TxDOT provided real-time translation in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and ASL.
During virtual meetings, closed captioning was available in multiple languages, and Spanish Q&A was supported in virtual meeting Resource Rooms. All meeting materials and videos were published in both English and Spanish.
TxDOT also provided the opportunity for anyone with specific language needs to contact them prior to the meetings.
TxDOT received comments through various communication channels offered to the public, and respondents were given ample time to submit their feedback, exceeding typical comment periods. Beyond the public comment deadline, TxDOT continues to welcome feedback.
TxDOT remains committed to evaluating opportunities to minimize the project's footprint while upholding its purpose and need. The agency also invested $3 million in affordable housing initiatives, bringing the total to $30 million, in addition to the TxDOT Right of Way Acquisition Enhanced Relocation Benefits Program.
The feedback received from the public meetings provides valuable insights that will continue to inform the project design and construction, as well as how TxDOT engages with the community.
As the I-45 NHHIP advances through ongoing public engagement initiatives, TxDOT welcomes continued dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders to shape the Houston region's transportation future.
About the TxDOT I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP)
The North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) is designed to enhance safety, create additional roadway capacity to manage congestion, incentivize transit and promote ridesharing, and improve mobility and operational efficiency on I‑45 from U.S. Highway 59/I‑69 to Beltway 8 North, including improvements along US 59/I‑69 between I‑45 and Spur 527 in Harris County, Texas.