Keeping up with the North Houston Highway Improvement Project
When searching for a home what is most important to you? In most cases you may have a wish list of amenities that the home should have. Those amenities can be added or changed later, but the one thing you can’t change about a home is its location. Whether you are looking for a short commute to work, to be zoned to a certain school district, or for close proximity to entertainment and recreational trails, location is key. Location can drive price. If you are shopping for a home right now, you likely have noticed just that.
When thinking about location, it’s always good to know how future development may affect where you live. Currently, there is a lot of discussion about the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) aka the I-45 widening. The nickname is a little misleading in that the project doesn’t just cover I-45, and it’s not necessarily just the widening of the road. Below is what I learned at a recent Boulevard Realty sales meeting (another misleading nickname since we talk about a lot more than sales!).
For months there have been a number of meetings related to NHHIP. Look for more to be scheduled in September and October. It’s important not just to understand how this affects you, but to also see the big picture. So here is a quick take on the overall project, which is designed to improve traffic flow, mitigate flooding, and create more green space in Houston.
The NHHIP is divided into 3 segments:
- Segment 1 of I-45 stretches from around the north Beltway 8 to the north 610 Loop. It’s about 9 miles long. This phase is about 10 years or so away from starting and as far as I know funding has not been approved yet.
- Segment 2 covers an area of I-45 from the north 610 Loop to I-10, which is around 3 miles of road. At time of writing, it is pending, but by the time you read this it will probably be approved with funding. Some neighborhoods affected will be Near Northside, Brooke Smith, Independence Heights, Northside Village, Woodland Heights, and the Heights. The plan is to add at least 3 HOV lanes, widening the freeway footprint but staying in the right of way. It will also reconfigure some merge lanes/ramps so that entering and exiting the Loop is less harrowing. People are excited about truck stops and businesses alleged to be associated with sex trafficking going away, but are concerned with how the project will encroach on neighborhoods like the historic Independence Heights.
- Segment 3 is also known as the Downtown Loop. It’s a section of I-45 below I-10 on to around 288. It also includes parts of I-59. Just look at the graphic to better understand this. Concerns include the relocation of Clayton Homes and some veterans’ housing. What I understand is that TxDOT purchased land and is relocating the housing to areas nearby that do not flood. People are excited about the EaDo Cap Park that will be behind the George R. Brown Convention center, allowing for a transition between Downtown and EaDo. The Highline-like Pierce Elevated park could connect hike and bike trails on opposite sides of Downtown. The re-routing of I-45 would allow Andrews Street to run uninterrupted from Bethel Church Park to Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. If you live in EaDo or Midtown or Freedmen’s Town, these parks have the potential to enhance your neighborhood.
The project is evolving. This could go on for 10+ years so get involved with your neighborhood association or Super Neighborhood to hear what’s going on and stay tuned to the following websites for more up-to-date information:
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