October 25, 2007 Houston, Will tunnels under I-45 improve traffic?

Following published in Houston Chronicle blog Inside Central Houston by Jennifer Friedberg.

October 25, 2007
Will tunnels under I-45 improve traffic?

The I-45 Coalition has come up with a creative solution to solve the traffic problems on I-45 from downtown north to Beltway 8. The challenge now for this organization made up of residents from neighborhoods such as the Heights, Woodland Heights and Old Sixth Ward to name a few, is getting TxDOT to listen.

The coalition's idea, which it calls the i45 parkway, involves two six-lane commuter tunnels, the redevelopment of surface lanes as a parkway for local traffic similar to Allen Parkway, and a commuter rail line. The coalition says the tunnel would cost $3.1 billion, take about three to five years to build and not require any additional right of way.

TxDOT has proposed adding four high occupancy vehicle lanes, which could cost about $2.1 billion and take 10 years to build. If the HOV lanes are added, the coalition says average speeds would increase by 3 miles per hour, from 32 mph to 35 mph from I-10 to Loop 610 North, and from 27 mph to 30 mph from Loop 610 North to Beltway 8. However, tunnel speeds could be 55 to 65 mph.

The coalition went to Houston City Council last week seeking support in their quest to bend the ear of TxDOT. Several council members voiced support, but said to really be successful the coalition needs support of state senators and representatives as well as county commissioners, i.e. the people who hold TxDOT's purse strings.

TxDOT says the tunnel option could be considered:

Norm Wigington, spokesman for TxDOT, said in an e-mail, "this project is at the very earliest stages of development. Although the I-45 Major Investment Study is complete, there are several steps that need to be taken before a successful scoping meeting can be held.

"This is the step where all possibilities, including the tunnel, would become part of the feasibility analysis."

"So, yes, the tunnel option is still part of the earliest design options. There has been no assessment of costs as of yet so no decision can be made on the feasibility of one option over another."

What do you think of the coalition's alternative plan for I-45?

Posted by Jennifer Friedberg at October 25, 2007 04:25 PM

October 24, 2007 Houston, Tunnels under I-45 proposed

Article published by the Chronicle in the Heights/Neartown News section.

Tunnels under I-45 proposed
Residents' coalition pushes for changes as congestion grows
By JENNIFER FRIEDBERG

Representatives of the I-45 Coalition sought the support of Houston City Council last week in asking the Texas Department of Transportation to consider building tunnels instead of adding high occupancy vehicle lanes on the interstate from downtown to Beltway 8.

While multiple City Council members voiced their support of the coalition, they also warned that they don't carry much weight with TxDOT. They urged the coalition to seek support from state representatives, senators and county commissioners, who could have more sway over the transportation agency. "They don't seem to really listen well to the community even though that's who they are supposed to work for," Council Member District D Ada Edwards said of TxDOT.

To ease congestion on I-45, TxDOT has proposed adding four HOV lanes on I-45 from downtown to Beltway 8 at a cost of $2.1 billion.

The nonprofit coalition does not want TxDOT to expand the existing right of way, but wants it to consider alternatives that would not adversely impact quality of life for residents in the Heights, Woodland Heights, Old Sixth Ward, Lindale Park, First Ward, Proctor Plaza and Northside Village.

October 24, 2007 Houston Coalition proposes i45 parkway

Related Houston Chronicle blog.

Oct. 24, 2007, 8:17PM
Coalition proposes i45 parkway
Member says plan tackles issues TxDOT not solving
By JENNIFER FRIEDBERG for the Houston Chronicle Bellaire/River Oaks/West U. News

Central Houston residents leading a coalition to improve Interstate 45 traffic flow in the future say their plan to provide tunnels under the freeway is smarter than widening it.

A plan called i45 parkway involves two six-lane commuter tunnels, the redevelopment of surface lanes as a parkway for local traffic similar to Allen Parkway, and a commuter rail line. The coalition claims this alternative would not require additional right of way. It would cost $3.1 billion to build the tunnels and the tunnels could be built in three to five years. The construction of HOV lanes would take closer to 10 years because the work would have to be done around existing traffic flow.

The coalition also says TxDOT's plan would increase the average speed on I-45 by 3 miles per hour, from 32 mph to 35 mph from I-10 to Loop 610 North, and from 27 mph to 30 mph from Loop 610 North to Beltway 8. Alternatively, the coalition claims average tunnel speed could be 55 mph to 65 mph. The tunnels would also minimize environmental impact by removing up to 90 percent of car exhaust with electrostatic filtration. "Houstonians in general are concerned about I-45," said coalition president Jim Weston to members of Houston City Council last week. "I realize this is not a city project, but this is your city and my city, and we need your support to make it happen. "This is a solution that can solve problems that TxDOT is not currently solving."

Mayor Bill White along with other council members told coalition members to keep up the good work. "People who say you can't have an impact are wrong," White said.

Closed doors
Although Weston said TxDOT told the coalition it would consider putting the HOV lanes in a tunnel, the coalition would rather the department consider the larger proposal. Furthermore, it would like some acknowledgment that alternative solutions are being evaluated.

Coalition representative James Schriver said his group is having a hard time getting information from TxDOT. "Our appeals to TxDOT for information have been rebuffed," Schriver said. "A Freedom of Information Act request was referred to the Texas Attorney General. We find this unconscionable."

TxDOT letter
TxDOT sent a letter to Weston dated Sept. 12 and signed by TxDOT Associate General Counsel Sharon Alexander acknowledging Weston's public information request dated Aug. 28. Alexander wrote, TxDOT "filed a request for an opinion with the Office of the Attorney General regarding your request for information."

A letter also signed by Alexander dated Sept. 12 was submitted to Greg Simpson, chief of the Open Records Division of the Office of the Attorney General. Alexander wrote, "Jim Weston has requested documents regarding the expansion and/or construction of I-45 North and I-10/or Hardy, north of I-10. "The excepted information is covered by Section 552.111 of the Governement Code, which excepts internal agency memoranda that constitute pre-decisional advice, recommendations, and opinions reflecting the policymaking process of a governmental body."

Schriver said the coalition needs the help of other governmental officials to break through TxDOT's closed-door attitude. "We would like a resolution of support from city council so we can get the information we need to move forward on this project," Schriver said.

Council members said they could send letters of support, but a resolution might take longer and need to go through committee. "We need to send a friendly but firm message to TxDOT saying we don't want any more Katy Freeways in this city," said At Large Position 1 Council Member Peter Brown. "You cannot build your way out of congestion by pouring more concrete."

Norm Wigington, spokesman for TxDOT, said in an e-mail, "this project is at the very earliest stages of development. Although the I-45 Major Investment Study is complete, there are several steps that need to be taken before a successful scoping meeting can be held. "This is the step where all possibilities, including the tunnel, would become part of the feasibility analysis."

"So, yes, the tunnel option is still part of the earliest design options. There has been no assessment of costs as of yet so no decision can be made on the feasibility of one option over another."