Txdot revs up

Controversial $9B downtown highway project ready to roll after green light

The first — and technically, last — stage of TxDOT's plan is set to begin soon downtown.

Photo courtesy of TXDOT

The Texas Department of Transportation is revving up to begin construction of a hotly debated Houston highway project. TxDOT reps say the agency will soon begin construction for the $9 billion North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP).

This news comes after years of planning, studying, design and redesigns in effort to address public protests and even a county lawsuit.

A "super freeway" for downtown

As CultureMap reported in 2020, the NHHIP was originally pitched as "super-freeway" concept. Initial plans called for I-45 to merge with US-59 and send part of the freeway underground. The "super freeway was envisioned as I-45 running alongside I-10 on the north side of downtown.

Officially, now, the NHHIP project promises to "enhance safety, create additional roadway capacity to manage congestion, incentivize transit and promote ridesharing," per TxDOT.

Plans call for work on I-45 to Highway 59/I‑69 to Beltway 8 North, plus improvements along US 59/I‑69 between I‑45 and Spur 527, a boon to drivers heading to downtown destinations and surrounding areas. Divided into three segments, the project features Segment 1(Beltway 8 North to I-610); Segment 2 (I-610 to I-10); and Segment 3 (downtown Loop System, I-45, I-10, and US 59/I-69).

TxDOT's big highway plan

Here's a quick rundown of the NHHIP plans, per TxDOT:

Addition of four non-tolled managed lanes, two lanes in each direction, 24/7 operations for carpool and transit on I-45 from Beltway 8 North to downtown Houston with improvements continuing south along US 59/I-69 to Spur 527
Reconstruction of mainlanes and frontage roads
Rerouting of I-45 in the downtown area to be parallel with I-10 on the north side of downtown and parallel with US 59/I-69 on the east side of downtown
Access to the west side of downtown via downtown connectors which would provide access to and from various downtown streets
Both I-10 and US 59/I-69 within the proposed project area would be realigned to eliminate the current roadway curvature.
Addition of four I-10 express lanes between I-45 and US 59/I-69
Reconstruction of the interchange at I-45 and I-610N to improve sight distances on direct connectors and replace outdated left lane exits where drivers expect right lane exits
Connection of I-45 and I-610 frontage roads with new intersections in Segment 2 and add one frontage road lane in each direction in Segment 1
Addition of shoulders that are full width
Addition of bike/pedestrian features along frontage roads and affected cross streets
Addition of trails parallel to bayous within the right of way

(Segment) 3 to make ready

Notably, TxDOT is jumping ahead to the final portion, which centers on downtown. "Our focus presently is on Segment 3, which will be the area that we move forward with first," Raquelle Lewis, TxDOT's southeast Texas communications director, told CultureMap news partner ABC13.

Why the jump in segments? TxDOT notes that Segment 3 of the project is fully funded and ready for construction, with a timeline in place. "We are looking at getting started with the first project in Segment 3 in 2024, and so we probably have anywhere from seven to 10 years before we see the Segment 3 elements completed," Lewis added.

Segment 3, however, is the portion receiving the bulk of the backlash and controversy, with major scrutiny on potential demolition of public housing, businesses, and churches. In 2020, Air Alliance Houston filed public petitions questioning the project's affect on air quality in the neighboring communities.

Then, in 2021, the Federal Highway Administration paused the project for two years in response to numerous civil rights concerns. Last December, as ABC13 reported, Houston city leaders and Harris County finally agreed to embrace the project — but only after TxDOT addressed the numerous public health, safety, and housing complaints.

Time will tell if more complaints and challenges will arise; in the meantime, TxDOT is partnering on a series of public meetings to share construction details and timelines with the public. Those interested should visit TxDOT's website for more details.

always be prepared

Texas tax-free weekend lets shoppers stock up on emergency supplies

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Emergency supplies like first aid kits that cost less than $75 are eligible for a tax break this weekend.

The best time for Texas residents to stock up on supplies to prepare for natural disasters is coming up this weekend. The annual statewide Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday runs from April 25-27, when Texans will be able to purchase critical emergency supplies — plus household necessities like batteries and fire extinguishers — tax-fee.

Shoppers can purchase certain emergency supplies tax-free starting at 12:01 am on Saturday, April 25, and the "holiday" runs until midnight on Monday, April 27. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items that can be purchased during the weekend, and purchases can be made in store, online, through the mail, and via custom order.

Saving on emergency supplies
Emergency preparation supplies must be purchased under certain price brackets to qualify for the tax exemption. For example, portable generators must have a sales price less than $3,000 to qualify for a tax break. Ladders and hurricane shutters that cost less than $300 also qualify.

Delivery, shipping, handling, and transportation charges are included in the sales price, according to the Comptroller. So if a shopper buys a $299 rescue ladder and is charged a $10 delivery fee, the total sales price for the purchase is $309, and tax would need to be paid for that sales price.

Additional items that qualify for a tax break as long as they cost less than $75 include:

Axes
Batteries – single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
Carbon monoxide detectors
Fire extinguishers
First aid kits
Fuel containers
Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
Hatchets
Ice products – including reusable and artificial ice
Light sources – including those that are battery operated or portable self-powered sources; candles, flashlights, and lanterns
Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
Non-electric can openers
Non-electric coolers and ice chests for food storage
Radios – including portable self-powered radios, battery operated radios, two-way radios, and weather band radios
Smoke detectors
Tarps and other plastic sheeting

The full list of qualifying items is available on The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' website.

As a reminder, over-the-counter items like antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, and spray and wipes are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a "Drug Facts" panel in compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations.

Non-qualifying items that will still be taxed
Medical masks, face masks, and gloves of any kind do not qualify for a tax exemption. Other taxable items including toilet paper, cleaning supplies (such as disinfectants and bleach wipes), vehicle or boat batteries, chainsaws, plywood, extension ladders, and stepladders. Camping equipment and supplies, including stoves and tents, are also not eligible for a tax break.

Additionally, any repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies do not qualify for tax exemptions, and neither do any services that are performed on or related to those supplies.

What to do if a qualifying item is taxed during the holiday
If customers buy a tax-exempt item between April 25-27 and are still taxed, they may request a refund from the seller on the tax paid for the item. The seller can grant the refund to the buyer, or provide them with Form 00-985, Assignment to Right to Refund, which would allow the customer to file a claim for their refund through the Comptroller's website.

tax free weekend emergency supplies texas