Segment 1
Key information
This segment will improve the I-45 between I-610 and Beltway 8 by widening the roadway to accommodate four lanes known as MaX lanes. The roadway would have:Four general purpose lanes in each direction with auxiliary lanes.Two MaX lane sin each direction operating 24/7 carrying HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) and METRO bus traffic.
- Addition of full-width shouldersAddition of bicycle/pedestrian features frontage roads
- Enhanced bicycle/pedestrian features on streets crossing I-45
- Drainage in this segment would be improved for residents and businesses along I-45 with the addition of 11 new detention ponds including a joint regional detention pond facility with Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) on Halls Bayou just east of I-45, and with the use of increased storm sewer pipe sizes to provide in-line detention.
Project map
Key considerations
Evaluate wider bridges at Halls Bayou crossing and other locations identified with HCFCD to accommodate future channel widenings.
Evaluate new trails along channel crossings under I-45.
Proposed new overpass as depicted in the FEIS schematics at Blue Bell Road in accordance with the MOU between TxDOT and the City of Houston.
Enhanced pedestrian and bicycle realms along all streets crossing I-45.
Provide 12-foot frontage road lanes with curb and buffer to accommodate pedestrians and bicycles.
Provide continuous two-lane frontage roads with auxiliary lanes between ramps.
Proposed I-45 MaX Lanes in the center to provide two lanes in each direction with 24-hour/7-day-a-week operations, including high-occupancy vehicles (HOV), METRO buses, rubber-tire high-capacity transit, and future autonomous vehicles.
Bring all lane widths, shoulder widths, and geometry to current design standards.
I-45 MaX Lane connectivity to Beltway 8 Direct Connectors.
I-45 Frontage Road entrance southbound and exit northbound from I-45 MaX Lanes directly to the frontage roads between West Road and Aldine Bender Road.
(K1 & K2) I-45 General Purpose Lane access to and from I-45 MaX Lanes between W. Mount Houston Road and West Road, and between Tidwell Road and Parker Road.