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State considers widening I-45
By Rhiannon Meyers
The Daily News
Published October 23, 2009
The Texas Department of Transportation is considering widening Interstate 45 from six lanes to eight between Texas City and League City to ease future traffic congestion, improve safety and speed hurricane evacuation.
The expansion project, which has been on the books for several years, calls for the department to widen Gulf Freeway between FM 1764 in Texas City to FM 518 in League City.
The state would add one lane on each side of the interstate, widen shoulders, reconstruct the two-lane frontage road and reconfigure ramps.
To accomplish the expansion, the state would have to acquire 10 feet of additional right-of-way on both sides of Gulf Freeway from Hughes Road to FM 518, about 11 acres of land, Karen Othon, spokeswoman, said.
The state plans to use its existing right-of-way between Hughes Road and FM 1764.
The state’s land acquisition might displace several businesses along the interstate, but it would not affect homes, department reports stated.
The state will have a public hearing about the project at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Clear Springs High School, 501 Palomino Lane, in League City.
Officials will answer questions about the project. Residents also will get a chance to see maps and the proposed design of the expansion.
The state must get approval from the Federal Highway Administration before moving forward with the project, Othon said. Once that approval is obtained, the state will begin acquiring and clearing land to start construction, provided the project is funded, Othon said.
She did not immediately respond to questions Thursday about how much the project would cost.
Dickinson City Administrator Julie Johnston said she’s not convinced the expansion would help improve traffic flow in the area.
The state should be looking at transportation alternatives, such as commuter rail, instead of widening the existing interstate, which would make it easier for more vehicles to clog the roads and pollute the air, she said.
Johnston said she plans to attend the public hearing with Mayor Julie Masters.
League City Mayor Toni Randall and Texas City Mayor Matt Doyle could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.
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At A Glance
WHAT: Public hearing on Texas Department of Transportation’s proposed expansion of Interstate 45
WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: Clear Springs High School, 501 Palomino Lane, League City
Details: Written and verbal comments will be accepted at the hearing. Residents also can submit written comments to the department’s Houston office at 7600 Washington Ave., or by mail to the Director of Project Development, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251, or by e-mail at HOU-PIOwebmail(at)dot.state.tx.us. All comments must be submitted by Nov. 10.
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