Planners have narrowed their choices for exactly how to widen Interstate 45 north of downtown, following preferences from previous public meetings through years of discussions on what could be the region’s largest-ever freeway expansion.

As part of the draft environmental plan unveiled last month, Texas Department of Transportation officials and consultants propose widening I-45 from the Sam Houston Tollway south to downtown Houston by first taking additional land mostly west of the freeway from the tollway to Loop 610, then avoiding significant property purchases within Loop 610.

All of those parts of the project, which include re-routing I-45 along the eastern side of the central business district and tearing down the elevated segment along Pierce Street, are contingent on federal environmental approvals.

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Ultimately, officials plan to make the freeway four lanes in each direction with managed lanes similar to those along Interstate 10 – two in direction. Frontage roads in many areas will be widened to three lanes.

The plan largely follows what residents and businesses have said for more than 12 years as the project – estimated to cost $7 billion – moved from mere suggestion to a formal plan. In March, TxDOT officials in the Houston area laid the groundwork for the project, securing approval for the first phases around the central business district.

With the draft environmental plan released, officials are hosting three hearings to discuss the plan, starting Tuesday at St. Pius X High School at 5:30 p.m.

Though the plans reflect changes from the proposal officials debuted two years ago, most are minor and only narrow options to what often were the preferred plans by designers and the public. Plans continue to call for burying I-45 near Woodland Heights and placing the frontage roads atop the buried freeway. That design allows for less encroachment in the neighborhood, which has fought to keep the freeway within its current right of way and without any elevated structures.

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Though officials have said they want to minimize effects, the project barrels through hundreds of homes and businesses along the roughly 16-mile route. North of Loop 610, the preferred path would destroy 160 apartments or condos, more than the other two options. The preferred path, however, displaces fewer total businesses.

Between downtown and Loop 610, the preferred alignment will affect a church, 63 homes and 38 multi-family residences – more than the other two options combined – but avoid the freeway being visible for many other residents.

Local residents also supported the design because by burying the freeway between Cottage Street and Norma Street – about 1,800 feet – a large greenspace could be added atop the freeway.

Officials have a similar design on the east side of the central business district from Commerce to Lamar which could create a large park or outdoor space near Minute Maid Park and the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Both of the green space ideas, which involve capping the freeway, would require funding and planning beyond TxDOT, officials said.

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Meanwhile not all of the money for the project is certain. While early phases around downtown are included in upcoming highway plans, toll road popularity has waned in Texas. The managed lanes, which the plan predicts will have a tolling component, cannot benefit from much of the extra money Texas voters have steered toward highways.

Last week, a bill by State Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, that would have extended TxDOT's authority to use tolls on some projects, including the I-45 widening, failed to pass the Texas House.

Public meetings Tuesday, May 9 at 5:30 p.m.

St. Pius X High School

811 West Donovan Thursday, May 11 at 5:30 p.m.

Houston Community College Central Campus, San Jacinto Building

1300 Holman Monday, May 15 at 6 p.m.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company

2000 Lyons