North Houston Highway Improvement Project

[J N Winkler]

TxDOT has just advertised a RFP for PS&E development for NHHIP Segment 3B, covering I-69/US 59 from SH 288 to I-45.  Submissions are due on March 4.  This is a relatively short but very busy one-mile segment (one cross-section shows an eventual 21 lanes under the Elgin Street bridge, which currently has 17) and the eventual deliverable for this procurement will be a plans set, with advertising for construction to happen at a later date.

[MaxConcrete]

TxDOT has just advertised a RFP for PS&E development for NHHIP Segment 3B, covering I-69/US 59 from SH 288 to I-45.  Submissions are due on March 4.  This is a relatively short but very busy one-mile segment (one cross-section shows an eventual 21 lanes under the Elgin Street bridge, which currently has 17) and the eventual deliverable for this procurement will be a plans set, with advertising for construction to happen at a later date.

http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot/ppd/meetings/013122/presentation.pdf

There are some points of interest for the RFP.

First, this segment was originally slated to be design build, as you can see the map on page 12 still shows it as DB1. Since this RFP is for PS&E (plans, schedule and estimates), it is now a conventional design-bid-build job. I don't know the reason for the change, but very high prices on recent design build jobs could be an influence.

Second, since the contract finalization is slated for June 2022, it should take at least a year for the PS&E which suggests the earliest possible bidding would be in the second half of 2023. The job is currently listed at $514 million for bids to be received in July 2023. However, since everything in the project is being delayed, I think July 2023 is optimistic, especially since the FHWA is in no hurry to fully approve any part of this project. https://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/cmd/cserve/let/2023/harris.htm#002713200

Third, this segment has the least amount of right-of-way acquisition in the entire project (see page 16), and most of the properties are already cleared (see photos I posted previously). So this is the segment most likely to actually be built, and it could possibly be the only segment to be built if FHWA decides to cancel everything else due to the planned right-of-way acquisition.

[J N Winkler]

MaxConcrete--many thanks for sharing your insights!

First, this segment was originally slated to be design build, as you can see the map on page 12 still shows it as DB1. Since this RFP is for PS&E (plans, schedule and estimates), it is now a conventional design-bid-build job. I don't know the reason for the change, but very high prices on recent design build jobs could be an influence.

I wonder if the goal is to cover downside risk by ensuring that TxDOT is not paying a design-builder to stay on the clock for a project that may be cancelled and also has a set of plans on the shelf in case federal stimulus funds become available with little advance notice.

It doesn't seem to me terribly common, but over the years I've run into situations where projects are taken to 100% design only for a finished plans set to be thrown out and replaced (not simply updated) when the project needs to be re-scoped for reasons of cost or environmental compliance.

I'm also curious as to why potential proposers are being asked to execute a nondisclosure agreement to obtain the design documentation package.  This is fairly unusual for design solicitations, and some of the items listed as being included in the package, such as reference information documents, are routinely uploaded to the FTP server (where they are on open public access) for large design-build procurements.

[MaxConcrete]

I wonder if the goal is to cover downside risk by ensuring that TxDOT is not paying a design-builder to stay on the clock for a project that may be cancelled and also has a set of plans on the shelf in case federal stimulus funds become available with little advance notice.

I'm also curious as to why potential proposers are being asked to execute a nondisclosure agreement to obtain the design documentation package.  This is fairly unusual for design solicitations, and some of the items listed as being included in the package, such as reference information documents, are routinely uploaded to the FTP server (where they are on open public access) for large design-build procurements.

I agree, TxDOT wants the plans ready so the project can proceed very quickly if/when FHWA allows it to proceed. The design-build process to request proposals, make the selection and execute the contract takes a very long time - always at least a year. With the plans ready, they can put it out to bid and get the contract underway in 2-3 months.

As for the NDA, it is unusual and I can't think of anything that would be sensitive. It's probably due to the lawsuit in progress, and TxDOT probably wants to ensure the consultant does not hand over any design information to the plaintiff or any of the opposition organizations.

[MaxConcrete]

Demolition of the former Mexican consulate at 4507 San Jacinto (southeast corner at IH-69 in midtown) is underway. This is on the section of IH 69 on the far south end of the project between Spur 527 and SH 288. This section is one of the most likely to proceed, even if the rest of the project is canceled.

This is this second largest building to be demolished so far, after the large office building along Interstate 10.

The demolition of this building is a favorable sign for this section. However, the construction job is not shown on TxDOT's 2-year letting schedule, and numerous other properties, mostly residential, still need to be cleared.

http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/20220212_NHHIP_ROW_1_1600.JPG


In this view, the on-ramp to NB IH-69 is in the foreground
http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/20220212_NHHIP_ROW_5_1600.JPG


This building is very close to the freeway, and the on-ramp visible on the left side is within 10 feet feet of the building.
http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/20220212_NHHIP_ROW_6-1600.JPG

[MaxConcrete]

The former Mexican consulate is now gone, except for some rubble remaining behind the fence. As of last weekend it was still standing.

[triplemultiplex]

The former Mexican consulate is now gone, except for some rubble remaining behind the fence. As of last weekend it was still standing.

I got excited about the graffiti until I looked closer and realized, no, it doesn't say "El Barto".

[J N Winkler]

I kind of liked the "Queso" tag on the top floor--that is topnotch stencil work over what appears to be a photorealistic rendition of a city skyline.  Oh well!  Ephemeral art is ephemeral.

[Plutonic Panda]

So it seems this project is moving forward as planned? At least the downtown section:

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently announced the issuance of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP), which signals the completion of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for environmental clearance. Specifically, the ROD constitutes approval of the Preferred Alternative for this crucial project to improve safety and mobility along one of the state's most congested roadways, as described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/txdot-reaches-decision-on-houston-infrastructure-project/55881

[MaxConcrete]

So it seems this project is moving forward as planned? At least the downtown section:

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently announced the issuance of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP), which signals the completion of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for environmental clearance. Specifically, the ROD constitutes approval of the Preferred Alternative for this crucial project to improve safety and mobility along one of the state's most congested roadways, as described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/txdot-reaches-decision-on-houston-infrastructure-project/55881

That article is about a year out of date, even though it is dated March 22, 2022. It fails to mention the FHWA suspension and the lawsuit.

The answer to your question is: No, nothing is moving forward as planned at this time.

Just today, H-GAC had a public meeting and most of the downtown work has been removed from the 4 year plan. (I can't find the presentation online.)

Remaining in the 4-year plan:
IH 69, Spur 527 to SH 288: $461 million, listed for start in 2023
IH 69, SH 288 to IH 45: $456 million, listed for start in 2025
Interchange at IH 45 and IH 10: $982 million, listed for start in 2026

All other work downtown work is postponed to start in 2028 and 2030, and no work north of downtown is scheduled.

[Plutonic Panda]

Okay thanks for the response. I thought it was weird seeing that and nothing posted here. Odd they'd post something so out of date. Usually they are pretty good about being accurate.

[Thegeet]

When can we expect to see a final decision?

[kernals12]

Is there any particular reason they're not putting these added lanes on a second deck? Your first response is probably that it would cost too much, which is what I assumed, but they're doing that in San Antonio.

[Plutonic Panda]

Max, any update on this? What's your thoughts this is getting dragged out I'm thinking this isn't looking good.

[MaxConcrete]

Max, any update on this? What's your thoughts this is getting dragged out I'm thinking this isn't looking good.

At the March TxDOT Commission meeting, Chairman Bugg spoke about the project status. He mentioned FHWA's suspension letter from April 2021 and highlighted FHWA's statement that it would provide an expeditious decision. A year later TxDOT has apparently not received a status or timeline.

I agree: the longer FHWA keeps the suspension in place, the greater the risk to the project, especially with inflation on the increase. And that may be FHWA's intent, to delay the project indefinitely to allow the cost to increase, and eventually TxDOT will reallocate funding to other projects. In fact, we may see funding reallocated for the 2023 UTP, which is approved in August or September.

As I mentioned on March 23, most work has been pulled out the 4-year plan with delayed work around downtown now listed for 2028 and 2030. Only $2 billion remains in the 4-year plan.

I still expect the approx $1 billion of work on IH-69 south of IH-45 to proceed, but everything else is very uncertain. I'm thinking we may know something more by the end of the year.

[Bobby5280]

Interchange at IH 45 and IH 10: $982 million, listed for start in 2026

A billion dollars? For one interchange? Holy shit.

I think I said it before. If the anti-freeway folks want to block the projects in downtown Houston then TX DOT should definitely re-direct that funding elsewhere in the state. It's not like there is a lack of major highway projects to build in other parts of Texas. A whole lot of I-69 outside of Houston remains not built. There's I-27 in West Texas. Certain US Highway corridors in Texas and even some state highway corridors need serious upgrade work. The billions meant for that stuff in downtown Houston will likely be appreciated by motorists elsewhere.

What's funny is many of the anti-freeway folks still expect all those billions of dollars to still be spent in their locales, but just on other crap. Yeah, naw, highway dollars need to be spent on highways. Just not their highways.

[bwana39]

Interchange at IH 45 and IH 10: $982 million, listed for start in 2026

A billion dollars? For one interchange? Holy shit.

The "High 5" in Dallas (US-75 I-635) was over a billion a decade ago...  nearly 2 decades and a shade under $300,000,000. I must have listened to something spoken in hyperbole. 

[kernals12]

Interchange at IH 45 and IH 10: $982 million, listed for start in 2026

A billion dollars? For one interchange? Holy shit.

I think I said it before. If the anti-freeway folks want to block the projects in downtown Houston then TX DOT should definitely re-direct that funding elsewhere in the state. It's not like there is a lack of major highway projects to build in other parts of Texas. A whole lot of I-69 outside of Houston remains not built. There's I-27 in West Texas. Certain US Highway corridors in Texas and even some state highway corridors need serious upgrade work. The billions meant for that stuff in downtown Houston will likely be appreciated by motorists elsewhere.

What's funny is many of the anti-freeway folks still expect all those billions of dollars to still be spent in their locales, but just on other crap. Yeah, naw, highway dollars need to be spent on highways. Just not their highways.

If you look at what they're doing, $1 billion isn't that shocking. They are straightening out both freeways and creating an immensely complicated spaghetti junction.

[Plutonic Panda]

Interchange at IH 45 and IH 10: $982 million, listed for start in 2026

A billion dollars? For one interchange? Holy shit.

The "High 5" in Dallas (US-75 I-635) was over a billion a decade ago...

Really? I thought the original high five interchange was about 300 million or so.

Quote repaired.  --J N Winkler

[J N Winkler]

Interchange at IH 45 and IH 10: $982 million, listed for start in 2026

A billion dollars? For one interchange? Holy shit.

The "High 5" in Dallas (US-75 I-635) was over a billion a decade ago...

I can't speak to the ROW cost since I don't remember TxDOT including that in letting schedules back in 2001, but all or nearly all of the construction for the High Five was done through one contract, CCSJ 2374-01-069, that was let in April 2001 for $261 million.  The plans set ran to over 5000 sheets.

There are more Maltese cross stacks in the state of Texas (a first-level subdivision of a sovereign country with UN representation) than on any continent other than North America, and probably all continents other than North America combined.  Texas also has more than twice as many stacks of this type as California, which is the runner-up among American states with nine.  This interchange form has long been highly affordable in Texas compared to other places--besides the High Five, several were later built in DFW and Houston for roughly $250 million each.  (I-410/US 281 in San Antonio proved fairly expensive at about $400 million.)

This said, I expect the NHHIP as a whole to be a cost bomb simply because so much of it will have to be built under traffic in some of the most congested parts of the Houston metro.  Aside from I-45/I-610 (north), where the present left exits and entrances are to be removed, I don't think it will add to the state's stack count.

[Bobby5280]

The "High 5" in Dallas (US-75 I-635) was over a billion a decade ago...

No. The High Five project in Dallas was built for around $260 million. Not a billion. I remember following progress of that project and even checking out the site in person a couple different times before it was finished.

(Edit: Just now seeing J N Winkler's response)

If you look at what they're doing, $1 billion isn't that shocking. They are straightening out both freeways and creating an immensely complicated spaghetti junction.

I can understand why the entire I-45/I-10/I-69 project around downtown Houston would run into the billions of dollars. That's a lot of new roadways running on elevated structures for pretty long distances around the downtown zone. But one interchange is just one interchange. And if TX DOT is forced to cancel or scale-back a lot of the plans then a new I-45/I-10 interchange would have to be affected just as much.

[bwana39]

The Houston Business Journal is reporting strong support for the new downtown design from the downtown business community. This support is crucial because those interests have political influence. Strong support could also move it to construction sooner, especially with the likelihood of a substantial increase in TxDOT's budget.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/04/houston-real-estate-heavyweights-all-for-downtown.html

Houston real estate heavyweights all for downtown highway transformation
Apr 30, 2015, 11:41am CDT


A plan to decommission a portion of I-45 running through downtown Houston could increase development and connectivity downtown, real estate experts say.

A Texas Department of Transportation proposal to realign Interstate 45 downtown with Highway 59 would render the Pierce Elevated, a portion of I-45 that runs along Pierce Street through the central business district, unused. At a recent Urban Land Institute panel on downtown Houston, real estate experts were united in support of the plan to demolish or transform the Pierce Elevated.

The group of panelists, representing various sectors of the real estate industry including office, multifamily and retail, all agreed that the plan would lessen or remove a barrier between areas of downtown that could result in improved connectivity and more development.

"I couldn't be more enthusiastic about it," said Sanford Criner, vice chairman at CBRE with more than 40 years' experience with office leasing and development. "Mobility is always important, but our problem isn't getting people downtown, it's what can we do with them when they're here?

....
 

If this is what downtown Houston wants good for them. I will make one comment here. The Pierce elevated doesn't physically separate anything. EVERY street crosses (under) it. It may very well create an emotional barrier, but that said, if they just commenced building one block west of it, the continuity of downtown would happen.

As much of the problem with the elevated is what goes on under it. Houston as much as many other major cities has a homeless problem. The one problem getting rid of the elevated freeway would actually solve is there would probably not be a convenient place for the homeless to camp. I am not sure of the solution to homelessness, but getting rid of a freeway just moves the homeless encampments to another location. It does nothing for the homeless people.

[MaxConcrete]

I just became aware of this document published by the downtown Houston TIRZ (tax increment reinvestment zone) on March 8
NHHIP exhibits start on page 26
http://www.downtowntirz.com/downtownhouston/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Board-Book-FINAL-3.8.22.pdf

According to page 29 (exhibit page 11), "TxDOT is providing a 30-acre concrete cap over the trenched highways." That statement isn't clear to me. Does it mean TxDOT is providing it in the design (without paying for it), or is TxDOT actually paying for its construction?

A 30-acre deck will increase the cost by at least $500 million, and probably much more. If TxDOT pays for the NHHIP deck, it means TxDOT will also need to pay for decks in Austin (IH-35) and Dallas (IH-345 and IH-30), which could be another $1 billion in expense.

Looking at the document, including the added work of the deck park, reinforces that NHHIP is a tremendously ambitious project. The presentation doesn't even cover a potential Pierce Elevated park. And of course the NHHIP section north of downtown is highly ambitious, if it can move forward.

[Thegeet]

Here's an article I found just now: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/Opponents-deluge-TxDOT-officials-with-calls-to-17107221.php

[kernals12]

Pretty obvious astroturfing