Following community concern, Congresswoman gets temporary delay in TxDOT project affecting Houston’s Third Ward
Following concerns from community members in the Third Ward, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee announced Friday that TxDOT has agreed to temporarily delay the project to allow for the community to receive more information about it and how it will impact traffic.
Remembering Kelsey Nalepa: 8-year-old killed in crash involving drunk driver gets highway sign in League City
In honor of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, KPRC 2′s Amy Davis and Haley Hernandez were able to speak with a League City couple whose daughter was killed in a crash involving a drunk driver in 2017.
TxDOT to demolish 375 Lofts at the Ballpark housing units during pause of I-45 expansion
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee visited the location at Graffiti Wall Tuesday to discuss TxDOT’s plan to move forward with the demolition of 375 housing units, disregarding the federally mandated pause on the expansion of I-45.
TxDOT builds new bypass to ease Cypress Creek Bridge reconstruction woes
The Texas Department of Transportation created a temporary IH-45 North Freeway southbound frontage road bypass between Cypresswood and FM 1960 is now open to drivers. It will provide continuous passage for those on the North Freeway southbound feeder road trying to access FM 1960.
Texas teen who went viral for driving through tornado helps launch TxDOT’s ‘Click it or Ticket’ campaign
A Texas teen who went viral for driving through an active tornado during March’s severe weather outbreak helped launch Texas Department of Transportation’s “Click it or Ticket” campaign event this week.
‘Click It or Ticket’: Campaign helps FBCSO step up crackdown of seat belt violators
The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office received a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to help crack down on unbuckled drivers and passengers during the busy Memorial Day holiday as part of a statewide seat belt enforcement campaign.
Texas rivers urged to pay attention amid 17% increase in traffic deaths involving distracted drivers
In the new day and age of social media and other distractions, a lot of drivers are being distracted with their mobile devices instead of focusing on the road. With the new distractions, TxDOT reports that distracted driving deaths have increased 17% in 2021 compared to 2020.
TxDOT brings awareness to construction work safety by assembling large snake sculpture made of orange barrels previously hit by drivers
The Texas Department of Transportation has launched its annual campaign to remind Texas drivers to keep their eyes out for work zone crews on the roads after traffic deaths related to construction work have risen.
Cypress Creek bridge replacement causes major road closure, forcing drivers to reroute
As TxDOT crews work on replacing a bridge that currently sits over Cypress Creek, residents in the area are dealing with heavy traffic as drivers are forced to reroute, according to Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman.
Federal Highway Administration visits Houston to address concerns over I-45 expansion project
In the heart of Houston’s Greater 5th Ward is Bruce Elementary. Its future may be in jeopardy, according to critics of the I-45 expansion project, if the plans to redesign and expand the I-45 from downtown Houston to Greenspoint to Beltway 8 don’t get a second look.
KPRC 2 Traffic Exclusive: Here is when the 59/610 connector ramps in the Galleria area will be fully open
This is the busiest interchange in Texas, with more than 250,000 vehicles traveling through 59 and 610 a day! Major work has been underway for quite some time now, and TxDOT’s most recent accomplishment: opening the connector ramps that lead drivers into the Galleria area. These connector ramps were supposed to be shut down for six to eight months, when they first closed during the summer.
‘Stop putting cars over people’: Harris County sues TxDOT over I-45 expansion project
HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee made a demand Thursday for TxDOT to take residents and the environment into consideration in the agency’s plan to expand Interstate 45. The $7.5 billion expansion project aims to increase the capacity of the freeway to handle traffic through downtown up Greater Greenspoint. Members of the group know, as Stop TxDOT I-45 applauded the county attorney’s decision to file suit. Good for them,” said STOP TxDOT I-45 founder, Susan Graham. The following is a statement, from TxDOT Executive Director James Bass, on the Harris County lawsuit regarding the NHHIP:“TxDOT has not yet received a copy of the lawsuit.
Ask 2: What’s up with the construction on SH-288?
HOUSTON – Question: John Castaneda asks, “What’s going on with 288 and how long is that project going to be?”Answer: Yes, the SH-288 toll road project is complete, but what you’re seeing down near Pearland is a construction project TXDOT and the City of Pearland are working on together, to add a new northbound frontage road along SH-288 that’ll connect Magnolia Parkway to Broadway, with driveways to help drivers access the newly built shopping centers in the area. Right now if you want to access the Silver Lake Village Shops, you can’t access them from the feeder, because there isn’t one. You’ve got to exit after Magnolia Parkway to Broadway, make a right at the light and enter from the side. Construction is expected to wrap up in December. If you’d like me to answer your traffic questions, just visit my Facebook page, KPRC 2 Anavid Reyes and send me your video!
Over-height truck trapped on bridge structure on Eastex Freeway near I-45, TxDOT says
An over-height heavy truck is stuck on a bridge structure on Eastex Freeway southbound at Jefferson Thursday night, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. HOUSTON – An over-height heavy truck is stuck on a bridge structure on Eastex Freeway southbound at Jefferson Thursday night, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDOT reported multiple main lanes of Interstate 69 Eastex southbound at Interstate 45 were blocked due to the incident. Officials said they responded to the call before 7 p.m.No injuries have been reported. TxDOT crews are on scene.
How counties in Houston area are preparing roads ahead of winter storm
HOUSTON – The Texas Department of Transportation says they will start pre-treating roads, highways, and overpasses across the Houston area in the next 24 hours. They are waiting for roads to dry before starting the treatment process. “The more prepared our citizens can be the better off we are going to be,” said Meghan Arthur, a public information officer for Montgomery County. “We are expecting to see ice on ground level roadways as well,” said Emily Black, who is with the Texas Department of Transportation. The weather has already caused problems in Montgomery County.
TxDOT moves ahead with I-45 expansion as objections continue
TxDOT announced a “record of decision” Thursday, a formality that moves the proposed expansion from the environmental phase to the design phase. “It’s sort of a pattern TxDOT has been taking, no pun intended, but our way or the highway,” Humphreys said. Along with housing displacement, public transportation advocates have called on the agency to provide better infrastructure to accommodate rapid-transit lanes, as opposed to single-occupancy vehicles. Ad“Public transit is a great choice for moving people a long way,” said Neal Ehardt, a representative from the group Stop TxDOT I-45. “So we need a project that allows regular pedestrian crossings.”For its part, TxDOT maintains it will continue to consider its critics.
‘Someone screwed up’: New signage along 290 has some drivers confused
The far-left outbound lane of 290 was now a high occupancy vehicle lane from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday. So the times described appear as incorrect.”KPRC 2 contacted TxDOT and the spokesperson who oversees the 290 project said the signage is correct. “The HOV signage is correct. KPRC 2 asked our viewers on Facebook if they’ve seen the HOV signs on 290. “I’m in the Jersey Village area and I had to stop taking the HOV lane ... it’s confusing,” he said.
Toll Road drivers: Brace yourself for some big bills
HOUSTON – If you travel frequently on toll roads managed by the Texas Department of Transportation, you could be in for a big surprise over the next few days and weeks. A Texas Tag system upgrade could cause major problems for your budget if you’re not prepared. Delayed Billing and ChargesThe Texas Department of Transportation started transitioning to a new operating system on November 18th. The system was still down on Jan. 11, meaning not a single toll had been deducted from any accounts in two months. Some users worried they would get hit with huge toll bills all at once.
Ask 2: Who can I call to advise about incorrectly marked road signs?
Question: Who can I call to advise about incorrectly marked roadway signs? Answer: The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) handles inquiries relating to road conditions and issues. Issues regarding signs can be reported to TxDOT on its website by selecting “Other / Not listed” or by clicking here. A complaint form regarding signs can be submitted online by clicking here. For road conditions needing immediate attention, TxDOT can be reached by calling 1 (800) 558-9368.
TxDOT says efforts already underway to combat wintry weather expected this weekend
HOUSTON – KPRC 2′s Andy Cerota spoke with a TxDOT representative Danny Perez about the wintry weather expected this weekend, as well as efforts to mitigate its effect throughout the Houston area. Perez said a substance called brine -- made of salt and water -- is currently being spread on some area roadways ahead of the weekend weather. Crews are wrapping up pre-treating for the potential for wintry weather this weekend in the Northwest portion of Harris County. This treatment is being done as a precaution in case the area is impacted by wintry weather this weekend. pic.twitter.com/M2aC016ccs — TxDOT- HOU District (@TxDOTHouston) January 8, 2021To watch his full interview, check back to this story for the video.
HPD officer injured after driver strikes patrol vehicle on East Freeway
HOUSTON – A Houston police officer was injured overnight after a driver struck his patrol vehicle on the East Freeway, according to the Houston Police Department. Officials said the accident occurred while the officer was stationary in his patrol vehicle blocking a pothole on the East Freeway near Lockwood. A civilian vehicle traveling westbound on the freeway rear-ended the officer’s patrol vehicle. The officer suffered a laceration to his head and was transported to a hospital in the Texas Medical Center for treatment. TxDOT repaired the pothole and all westbound lanes on the East Freeway near Lockwood have reopened.
Local leaders concerned I-45 widening plan will create bigger flooding issues in corridor
HOUSTON – If you talk to Tomaro Bell about TxDOT’s planned renovation for the North Freeway, she won’t nice words. I say absolutely not,” Bell said, who sits on the Public Safety Committee of the Super Neighborhoods Alliance. “Already got eight lanes, that’s enough. Garcia said he doesn’t view TxDOT’s plans as truly looking out for neighborhood flooding. But we need to make sure that the corridor is actively incorporated into flood protections,” he said.
Leaders voice concerns over I-45 expansion project in letters to TxDOT
A public comment period for North Houston Highway Improvement Project’s Final Environmental Impact Study, or FEIS, expires Wednesday. The deadline prompted multiple government agencies from the city of Houston and Harris County to issue letters to TxDOT, which oversees the project. About the projectThe North Houston Highway Improvement Project aims to clear congestion along the I-45 corridor in downtown Houston by widening the freeway through Houston’s north side. The I-45 expansion project would be conducted in three phases: Beltway 8 North to Interstate 610, I-610 to I-10, and the downtown loop. Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack and Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle opposed the letter.
Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia pushes for stronger COVID-19 response
Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D), received 71% of the vote in her re-election to represent the 29th Congressional District. “They actually filed a lawsuit against the county judge for saying he wanted to shut down parts of his county," Garcia said, referring to State Attorney General Ken Paxton’s successful effort to halt the shutdown of El Paso non-essential businesses. TxDOT is once again implementing its “Click it or Ticket” campaign during the holiday season to get more Texans to buckle up. Law enforcement will be stepped up,” said Deidrea George, TxDOT Public Information Officer for the Houston Region. More Information:U.S. Rep Sylvia Garcia, (D), 29th Congressional District· Website: https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/· Twitter: @RepSylviaGarciaDeidrea George, TxDOT Houston Division, Public Information Officer· Website: https://bit.ly/3knNMOR· Twitter: @TxDotIngrid Robinson, President, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council· Contact: http://hmsdc.org/· Twitter: @HoustonMSDC