HOUSTON – Multiple local officials, including Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee discussed plans, and objectives regarding the progress in TxDOT’s I-45 expansion project.
Jackson Lee said in a release that TxDOT is reportedly planning to destroy hundreds of apartments and a historic church without consideration of its history.
Lee said she has asked the Federal Highway Administration to continue to investigate TxDOT’s I-45 design. She accused the company’s design of being discriminatory by not presenting any input from the impacted communities. Lee wants to continue the pause until the investigation has been fully completed.
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia said they want a safe and effective transportation system that moves the Houston area in the right direction but need TxDOT to be a good partner and meet them the rest of the way that doesn’t negatively impact small communities.
Watch the full news conference below:
Jackson Lee released the following statement:
Keeping elected officials informed and engaged is an important obligation of state transportation departments and FHWA encourages the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to engage with the community in the area of NHHIP and better communicate all planned project activities. FHWA has also asked TxDOT for additional information about the timing of key events in the acquisition of the Lofts at the Ballpark, and the decision to acquire and demolish all three buildings, in order to evaluate whether the full impact of the loss of housing from all three buildings of the Lofts at the Ballpark was properly considered and mitigated in the NEPA process.