TxDOT moving forward with US 290, IH-10 reconstructions

CTC offers suggestions

Steve Hawley, Dec 04, 09.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is moving forward with plans to reconstruct the US 290/IH-610 interchange, as well as IH-10 inside the 610 Loop, according to the latest Citizens’ Transportation Coalition (CTC) eNews. The US 290 project is being funded by $179 million in Proposition 12 bonds, while the IH-10 reconstruction is being financed by $88 million in contingency stimulus funds.

CTC says that “US-290 is widely regarded as the most-congested highway in the Houston region, and reconstructing this interchange is a first step toward addressing the issue.” US 290 also ranks high on the official TxDOT list of most congested roads in Texas, with almost 230,000 annual hours of delay per mile. Those delays, according to TxDOT, cost almost $47 million in 2008 alone.

However, CTC says that there are several things that TxDOT and Harris County must consider. To alleviate construction delays, the organization says that Harris County should implement the Hempstead Managed Lanes plan and begin work on a commuter rail line. At the same time, CTC says that since fuel taxes can only fund road projects, TxDOT should use future Proposition 12 money to fund non-road projects such as freight rail grade separations and capacity enhancements.

The IH-10 project will reconstruct portions of 10 main lanes and three bridges, as well as adding frontage roads to two segments that currently have none. The project was one of the contingency projects approved in February, and it is scheduled for funding now that Segment E of the Grand Parkway has been determined not to be “shovel-ready” due to wetland mitigation concerns.

CTC notes that the last public meeting regarding the IH-10 project was three years ago, and it urges TxDOT to hold a public hearing in January to review the design documents and allow for public comments. The deadline for citizens to request a public hearing is December 22. Individuals may request a public hearing by mailing a written request to:

Director of Project Development
Texas Department of Transportation
PO Box 1386
Houston, TX 77251-1386

CTC provides further discussion of the IH-10 project in its forums.