Infrastructure

In Answer to Your Questions /  by Brian Edmondson

We have a few updates to pass on to questions we've received from neighbors. They are regarding a water leak near the Norhill Esplanade, the repair of the sign and retaining wall at the corner of a greenspace at Houston Avenue and White Oak Drive, and the status of repairs to the bollards and large rocks at the entrance to our neighborhood at the corner of Watson and Usener Streets. Also, you might see new signage around the neighborhood courtesy of Harris County Constable  Alan Rosen, Precinct 1 office.

  • The Water Leak near the Norhill Esplanade - the leak was identified by WHCA board members on February 20, 2025. The board checked the leak that day to see if it was coming from the irrigation system on the Norhill Esplanade. WHCA maintains the esplanade through an adoption agreement with the Houston Parks & Recreation Department. Upon investigation, it was determined the leak was on the City's side of the water meter. That makes it the responsibility of the City of Houston Public Works and Engineering Department. A Service Request was submitted through the COH 3-1-1 system. Additionally, the WHCA board has informed both Council Member Mario Castillo's Office, District H, and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department of the leak and of the filing of the 3-1-1. Both offices have replied that they will keep the repair on their radar and have asked us to keep them informed so they can assist in repairing the leak. We will get back to you on any update we receive.

  • The Retaining Wall Repair at Houston Avenue and White Oak Drive - The Greater Northside Management District holds the contract to maintain the parkette and the signage at this site. The last information we received regarding the repair status indicated that yes, indeed, the GNMD is in the process of getting the signage repaired. The date for this repair has not been released to us at this time; however, we are inquiring again as to a timeline and will advise everyone when we receive that information. Thank you for your patience.

  • The Watson Street Esplanade - On February 13, a two-car collision damaged the bollards and broke the boulders at the entrance sign to our neighborhood at the corner of Watson and Usner Streets. Ryan Taylor, WHCA Director of Beautification, and his team of volunteers are reinstalling the bollards and replacing the boulders in front of the sign. We thank the Beautification team for their quick action and dedication to keeping that esplanade in shape on a regular basis and for their rapid response to deal with the damage from the accident. Just an FYI - they can always use more volunteers and are ready to welcome you to their ranks if you're interested; email beautification@woodland-heights.org.

  • New Signage Comes to Woodland Heights—In response to a request from Beth Sorensen, WHCA Director of Security, the county will install 8 to 10 new signs around the neighborhood. These new signs point out that the area is patrolled by Harris County Precinct 1 Constables. The signage and proposed locations can be found by clicking on the following links: Sample Signage and Proposed Sign Locations.

Major Infrastructure Projects Impact Woodland Heights /  by Michael Graves

Our historic neighborhood, nestled in the crook of I-10 and I-45 at the first freeway exit from downtown Houston, is entering another transformation chapter. Over recent decades, Woodland Heights has experienced dramatic changes through rapid redevelopment and a flourishing local business scene. Major infrastructure projects will reshape our transportation boundaries over the next decade.

TxDot Map of Katy Corridor Construction Project.

White Oak Bayou I-10 Elevation Project.
Construction has begun on the $400 million I-10 White Oak Bayou elevation project along our southern boundary. Phase one started this month by reducing westbound I-10 from five lanes to three between I-45 and Studemont. The Taylor Street exit and entrance ramps are now closed, with detours via Sawyer Street and Washington Avenue.

A significant highlight of this project is the reconstruction of the Houston Avenue bridge, a longtime pain point for our community. Long-term residents will recall the frequent bridge strikes by oversized vehicles, each incident requiring emergency repairs and causing major traffic disruptions. The new design will position Houston Avenue beneath the I-10 main lanes, the goal is to eliminate these bridge strikes and their associated delays.

For trail users, portions of the MKT Trail and White Oak Bayou Greenway under I-10 are temporarily closed. TxDOT has established marked detour routes and added new infrastructure, including a switchback trail at Studemont and a wider sidewalk along the eastbound feeder road south of I-10. While periodic trail closures may occur during construction, both trails will remain accessible throughout the project.

Key Impacts and Timeline

  • I-10 White Oak Bayou Project: Now through late 2028

  • Lane reductions and intermittent closures: Through late 2027

  • Houston Avenue bridge reconstruction: Mid-2025 through late 2027

  • New trail features: Studemont switchback trail and wider sidewalks along I-10

  • I-45 NHHIP: Construction reaching our western boundary in 2028, continuing through 2033

As a neighborhood that has successfully navigated significant changes over the past decades, we will adapt to these infrastructure improvements while maintaining our strong community bonds. The Woodland Heights Civic Association will continue to advocate for our neighborhood's interests throughout these projects.

Courtesy TxDOT website https://its.txdot.gov/its/District/HOU/lane-closures

Did you know you can check traffic conditions or lane closures among other options in your area you can visit TXDot's Advanced Traffic Management System (ITS - intelligent transportation system) page on their website. Here you can zoom in on the map to see specific areas close to your neighborhood or in other areas across the state where TxDot cameras or located.

Brian Edmondson

Houston Chron: Texas freeway foes band together against TxDOT, calling plans to widen highways 'insane' /  by Alaina Hebert

Houston Chronicle publishes: “Texas freeway foes band together against TxDOT, calling plans to widen highways 'insane'“ - https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/Freeway-foes-across-the-state-band-together-17416345.php

“Among the projects drawing alarm:

Houston’s $9.7 billion-plus project to widen I-45 from downtown Houston north to Beltway 8, which will add two managed lanes in each direction and rebuild the downtown freeway system and the obsolete interchange with Loop 610.

Austin’s $4.9 billion rebuild of I-35 through the heart of the capital, which would replace the clogged two-tier freeway with a single buried road that adds two carpool lanes in each direction. Opponents have said this will divide the city further.

El Paso’s planned widening of I-10 through the downtown area, which would build on overall widening of the freeway to the New Mexico border meant to facilitate border trade and ease traffic.

Dallas’ proposed I-345 redesign to bury the freeway between downtown and Deep Ellum, which opponents have called unnecessary. They have advocated for removing the freeway entirely.”
— Dug Begley, Staff writer, Houston Chronicle

Sample Comment for TXDOT I-10 Elevation /  by Alaina Hebert

Below is a sample comment submitted by Woodland Heights neighbor:

The project as proposed isn’t needed because in the last 20 years the referenced section of I-10 has only

been impassable due to flood waters on three occasions lasting for no more than 24 hours each.

Raising this roadbed as proposed will not allow traffic to flow unimpeded because a mile of so west

there is the same rare flooding issue on the I-10 roadway between Washington Ave. and TC Jester.

Traffic can easily be routed around these rare hazards via I-610 as it has before.

The more pressing problem is improperly permitted tractor trailer haulers who collide with and damage

the Houston Ave. bridge over I-10. This hazard closes the highway multiple time during the year for

extended periods of time. The much more cost effective solution is to simply rebuild the Houston Ave.

bridge over I-10 (one direction at a time so it remains passable). It would cost less than 10% of what the

current proposal costs. As a taxpayer who funds these projects, I want my tax dollars to be spent wisely.

Or perhaps for even less cost a height monitoring and warning system could be built along I-10 to

directly notify truckers that their load is too tall and that they will cause a bridge collision if they do not

exit and re-route.

I can’t help wondering if the public isn’t being fully informed as to the true nature of the proposed

project. Since the proposed “improvement” doesn’t actually allow for traffic to flow unimpeded

because of simultaneous roadway flooding less than two miles west of the location. There must be

some other unmentioned purpose or benefit to TXDOT for the proposed project. Could it actually be

related to the long delayed and strongly objected to I-45 project? It isn’t helpful to your cause to not be

fully forthcoming about goals and motivations.

Currently there exists a natural sound barrier and air quality provider in the form of a stand of native

trees and shrubs between White Oak Bayou and I-10 just east of Taylor St. That native forest and animal

habitat needs to remain no matter what. So if we cannot stop this wasteful project from occurring I

strongly recommend that all the needed detention for 500 year flooding events be constructed under

the new proposed roadway. You already plan to use this area for detention. Why not simply excavate

deeper and provide all the necessary detention there and not remove our neighborhood’s highway

sound and pollution barrier?

If indeed we cannot stop this wasteful project, then I insist that you provide the neighboring

communities (on both sides of the highway) a third party water engineering study proving that in the

event of a flooding event like occurred in 2017 (Hurricane Harvey) that the planned detention built

under the proposed elevated roadway will hold the same amount or more acre feet of water that rose

on I-10 during that flooding event.

If indeed we cannot stop this wasteful project, and TXDOT by agreement builds all the requested

detention under the elevated roadway, it will do so in such a way that the public can use it as an

amenity; specifically like the one previously built west of Yale St. along White Oak Bayou near Rutland

St. and 5 th and 6 th Streets.

If indeed we cannot stop this wasteful project, TXDOT will use all known noise deadening designs and

materials on the proposed roadway to reduce noise in the adjoining communities and erect sound walls

covered by vegetation if the roadway exceeds the height of the existing forests along the highway.

11th Street Safety Improvements /  by Alaina Hebert

August 17, 2022 - upcoming virtual public meeting

The project has moved into 100% design. On August 17, 2022 the City of Houston will host a virtual public meeting to share project updates. This will include an exciting opportunity to repave portions of 11th Street, how the repaving (street rehabilitation) will be phased, and phasing construction of the bikeway.

Virtual Meeting Details - https://www.letstalkhouston.org/11th-street-bikeway

When: Wednesday, August 17th at 6:00PM - 7:00PM

Where: Microsoft Teams Live event - https://bit.ly/3P2McBy(External link)

Purpose: share information about 11th Street including upcoming repaving and bikeway construction, timeline and phasing, and answer questions from the community related to these topics.

I-10 Elevation/Expansion Works Against Resilient Houston and Climate Action Plan Update /  by Alaina Hebert

City of Houston Joint Committee Meeting on

Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure (TTI) & Public Safety and Homeland Security (PSHS)

  1. Committee Agenda - https://www.houstontx.gov/council/committees/tti.html

  2. TXDOT I-10 Expansion from Heights to I-45 Proposal

  3. Public Comment Form

Reference the following project numbers: CSJ 0271-07-326
TxDOT Houston District
Public Information Office
P.O. Box 1386
Houston, Texas 77251
713-802-5076

“I attended and spoke at the Thursday, August 8, 2022, City of Houston Joint Council Committee on Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure & Homeland Security. I was pleased to hear the focus on Flood and Extreme Heat and Cold resilience prioritized natural restoration as mitigation.

The TXDoT proposed I-10 from Heights to I-45 expansion does the opposite of all the recommendations and efforts by Chief Zachariah. The expansion would replace trees, greenspace, and natural features for hot concrete.

I can hear I-10 from Bayland and Beauchamp St at night and it sounds like a speedway.
The additional concrete, loss of sound dampening natural features, and increased elevation will amplify the sound far into neighborhoods.

This is a quality of life issue for 1,000s of residents and our critical natural resources. Please speak out during the comment period through August 26, 2022.”
— Alaina Hebert

https://www.woodland-heights.org/events-1/2022/8/4/city-council-meeting-tti

WHCA Challenges TXDOT's Plans to Expand and elevate I-10 /  by Alaina Hebert

Read & Listen to WHCA Director of Infrastructure, Brad Snead’s interviews on the concerns about environmental and sound impacts to our neighborhoods and bayous.

How can You get involved?

  1. Review the TXDOT I-10 Expansion from Heights to I-45 Proposal

  2. Submit Public Comment Form - Reference the following project numbers: CSJ 0271-07-326

TxDOT Houston District
Public Information Office
P.O. Box 1386
Houston, Texas 77251
713-802-5076

Public Comments are due by Friday, August 26th, 2022



Public Comment Needed for 2023 Unified Transportation Program by Aug 8 /  by Alaina Hebert

WHAT: This is TxDOT's 10-year plan and budget. It is based on information and requests from regional planning bodies like the Houston-Galveston Area Council in Houston. The Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) approves the plan, and TxDOT carries it out.

The 2023 UTP public comment period is July 8, 2022, through 4:00 p.m. CST on Aug. 8, 2022. You may submit comments using the following methods:

Fill out a comment form online.
The online comment form can be switched between several of the most spoken languages in Texas, including English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Hindi, Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, and Cantonese.

You may also print a comment form or request a printed comment form at your local TxDOT district or area office and mail it to:

Texas Department of Transportation
Attention: TPP-UTP
125 E 11th Street
Austin, Texas 78701

You may e-mail your public comments to UTP-PublicComments@txdot.gov. Additionally, you may leave a voicemail comment by calling 833-933-0446.

Please be prepared to state your city, state, and zip code. Your name and address are optional. Please speak as clearly as possible, comments are transcribed and added to the official record.

In order to be considered, comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Aug. 8, 2022.

Talking points to consider:

  1. Remove the I-45 & I-10 Expansion from the UTP to allow for a new project based on a true community engagement process. In the meantime, for communities that were harmed by the initial construction of I-45, their concerns should be addressed and mitigated immediately. These reparations should not be held hostage to a plan that will sacrifice more Houstonians to flooding, pollution, and traffic violence.

  2. No more added lanes for cars for any projects through urban centers

  3. Prioritize safety of all road users and Vision Zero

  4. All projects should prioritize sustainability and aim to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMTs)

  5. All projects should center and aim for race and class equity for all road users

  6. All projects should reduce flooding and prioritize flood mitigation

  7. We want a UTP that increases multi-modal transportation options throughout the state

  8. Updates to the TxDOT ADA Transition Plan have included work to identify the specific need and cost of bringing all TxDOT on-system facilities up to inclusive ADA standards. This TxDOT assessment estimated that adding or fixing all on-system missing and broken sidewalks, ramps and safe crossings across the state would cost $1.56 billion. We request that you increase the funding for the ADA Transition Plan from the proposed $5 million to $25 million a year in the FY2023 Unified Transportation Program.

2023 Unified Transportation Program 

UTP Presentation - https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot/tpp/utp/2023-utp-public-meeting-with-speaker-notes.pdf

Virtual Public Hearing, July 26 at 2pm. Link is HERE.

Segmented Interstate Expansion Skirts Federal Environmental Law /  by Alaina Hebert

Texas is skirting federal environmental law to push for highway expansion - Megan Kimble, Grist, Jul 27, 2022

This timely article comes just as TXDOT has announced plans to expand I-10 from Heights to I-45 a sub-set of overall planned interstate expansion. The article explains that the I-45 expansion was put on hold so that the full impact could be studied in aggregate which will show more accurate an significant impacts than when segmented.

Overall, between 2015 and 2022, Moritz discovered that 130 TxDOT projects were found to have no significant impact after an initial review, while only six received full environmental analyses detailing their impacts. Cumulatively, those 130 projects will consume nearly 12,000 acres of land, add more than 3,000 new lane miles to the state highway system, and displace 477 homes and 376 businesses. The total projected costs of those projects was nearly $24 billion, almost half of what TxDOT spent on transportation projects during that time and twice as much as the amount spent on projects that received full environmental reviews.

How can You get involved?

  1. Review the TXDOT I-10 Expansion from Heights to I-45 Proposal

  2. Submit Public Comment Form - Reference the following project numbers: CSJ 0271-07-326

TxDOT Houston District
Public Information Office
P.O. Box 1386
Houston, Texas 77251
713-802-5076

Public Comments are due by Friday, August 26th, 2022

Texas Parks & Wildlife - Bayou City Episode /  by Woodland Heights Civic Association

  • Take a tour of the last preserved bayou in the Bayou City with Mark Kramer from the Armand Bayou Nature Center and learn of the importance the habitat plays in flood control.

  • Houston Parks & Recreation Department (HPARD) has begun restoring riparian habitat along the bayous. HPARD's Kelli Ondracek discusses the restoration project at Milby Park.

  • Little White Oak Bayou in Woodland Park is among the unique riparian habitats slated for restoration by HPARD.

“Meet some of Houston’s most dedicated bayou conservationists, learn about issues the bayou ecosystem has faced over the past century, and see some hope for keeping an urban area and its watery wilderness in balance.”
— Program 3004 - October 31-November 6, 2021, and May 1- 7, 2022

Houston Welcomes 10 New Historic Landmarks /  by Woodland Heights Civic Association

In advance of Historic Preservation Month in May, Houston welcomed 10 new historic landmarks spanning the city in five different City Council Districts. Houston City Council approved the new landmarks on April 20. There are two landmarks and eight protected landmarks including Third Ward's Eldorado Ballroom built in 1939 and located at 2310 Elgin St. in Council District D.

Learn more about historic landmark designations. View this presentation to see photos of all the new landmarks.

Read this Texas State Historical Association article about the Eldorado's rich history in Houston.

Bike to Work Day - Friday, May 20 /  by Woodland Heights Civic Association

Bike to Work Day is Back!

Join us for the first in-person Bike to Work Day (BTWD) in two years. We're celebrating National Bike Month in May by bringing back our annual bike ride to Downtown Houston on Friday, May 20, at 7:15 a.m.

This year’s bike ride will begin at the visitor center at Buffalo Bayou Park at Lost Lake, 3422 Allen Parkway, with riders departing promptly at 7:30 a.m. The ride will end at the Hermann Square Reflection Pond at City Hall.

If you can't join us, we challenge you to ride your bicycle to work on May 20 or another day during Bike Month.

Take a picture and tag the Houston Bikeways social media with the hashtag #BTWD2022.

To help make your ride safe and enjoyable, we’ve listed some safety tips below. We’ll also be crowdsourcing some tips on biking on social media, so be sure to follow us and join the conversation.

Twitter @HoustonBikePlan

Facebook

Bike To Work Day website

Submit your Redistricting Feedback Now to July 10 /  by Woodland Heights Civic Association

The City is embarking on a process to adopt new City Council district boundaries using the information from the 2020 US Census. There will be multiple opportunities to comment and be updated on the process.


Town hall meetings were scheduled in each City Council district in April and May to explain the redistricting process, and to allow the public to give input to the City on how they want their district to look in the future. Capital Improvement Project (CIP) meetings will follow the Redistricting Town Halls. Anyone can attend any redistricting meeting, but Capital Improvement Project updates are specific to the district in which the meeting is held. View the meeting schedule.

A virtual Redistricting town hall meeting will be held May 25. View meeting details.

Public Engagement:

Phase 1: Town hall meetings will be held to obtain public input on how the new districts should be configured. The City wants your input before drawing the new maps; no new maps will be presented at the town hall meetings. Residents may also submit their own redistricting plan to the Planning & Development Department by July 20.

Phase 2: District boundaries are redrawn based on 2020 Census data, the criteria that were approved by City Council, and public input.

Phase 3: Draft Redistricting Plan is completed and presented to City Council.

Phase 4: Public may comment on the proposed new maps at three public hearings in July.

Lights Out for Birds /  by Woodland Heights Civic Association

The Texas Coast, including the Houston area, is an important migratory path for birds. Most migratory birds fly at night, and lights on buildings can disorient birds on their paths. Businesses and individuals across the city are encouraged to turn off all nonessential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. throughout spring, and especially during the peak period of April 23rd-May 10th.