As part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s ongoing study of I-45 between Beltway 8 North in Spring and South Loop 336 in Conroe, the entity is seeking public input on potential solutions to improve corridor conditions.

The Planning and Environmental Linkage Study aims to identify future corridor needs based on existing road conditions, population growth projections and public input, with the stated goals of improving mobility, reducing congestion, improving safety and improving connections across the roadway system and modes.

Phase 1 of the PEL Study wrapped up in summer 2018. Phase 2 kicked off in spring 2019 and is planned to wrap up by spring 2021.

Following a round of public meetings in the spring, TxDOT held another round in October in hopes of getting the public more involved with the process. Some of the proposed solutions presented during the meetings include the following:

Existing corridor
o Use technology
o Rehabilitation
o Interchanges; ramps; direct connectors
o Improve east-west connections
o Add new east-west connections
o Collector-distributor systems between main lanes and frontage roads
o Frontage road improvements; access management; ramps

Parallel routes
o Improve Hardy Toll Road, including connections
o Extend Hardy Toll Road North
o Kuykendahl Road improvements

Add lanes
o Within existing pavement (restriping)
o At-grade (new pavement)
o Elevated (new pavement)

High capacity transit
o Expand bus routes/transit services
o Light rail
o Commuter rail
o High-speed rail

Multimodal
o Microtransit
o Pedestrian and bicycle improvements
o Park & Ride improvements; multimodal hub

TxDOT is encouraging the public to give feedback on the proposed solutions by attending a public meeting, calling the TxDOT Houston District Office at 713-802-5076 and referencing project number 0912-00-536; or clicking here. The deadline to take the online survey is Nov. 1.

The next I-45 PEL Study public meeting will be Oct. 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Oak Ridge High School Ninth Grade Campus, located at 27310 Oak Ridge School Road, Conroe.