Ramp projects aim to free up I-45 flow

A project to address the most congested stretch of Interstate 45 at the border of Montgomery and Harris counties by realigning freeway ramps is moving forward, with an estimated 2027 competition date.

The project targets I-45 where the Hardy Toll Road, Rayford Road, Springwoods Drive and the Grand Parkway meet.

Montgomery County Commissioners Court is expected to consider an advance funding agreement for the project this month. The cost of the project was not available.

Project targets delays

“This is a project to reduce congestion and improve safety in a very difficult stretch of I-45,” said David Balmos, vice president of Minneapolis-based WSB & Associates. “We have presented this project to (the Texas Department of Transportation), and their eyes are wide open.”

Balmos said that area of I-45 is the “single most congested stretch” of the interstate.

In 2017, the road carried 250,000 vehicles a day, and it is projected to carry 370,000 vehicles a day by 2045.

“The need is clear,” Balmos said.

TxDOT began studying the area of I-45 about five years ago. In July, it approved the project to realign the ramps. The state selected WSB as a provider of engineering consultant services for TxDOT’s Houston District.

“Our design we have created here is to eliminate some of the weaving movements causing the operational and safety issues,” said Steve Lindsey, senior director of transportation design with WSB. “We have done that by flipping the ramps and braiding them.”

Streamlining traffic

According to the state, braided ramps separate traffic entering and exiting the freeway by having one ramp “braid” over the other, streamlining traffic flow for drivers.

Lindsey said this section of I-45 has 1.7 times the crash rate of a typical interstate in Texas.

Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack was spearheading the project but asked the court Tuesday to appoint County Judge Mark Keough and Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley after Noack lost his bid for reelection in March to former Shenandoah Mayor Ritch Wheeler. Wheeler will take office in January.

“This is going to be a game changer for not just south Montgomery County but for all of Montgomery County,” Noack said. “We are fighting every day for economic development opportunities.”

Balmos said one change will be that those wanting to exit I-45 to the Hardy Toll Road or Springwoods Village will exit the interstate before Rayford Sawdust Road and eliminate that traffic mixing with traffic continuing south.

“That’s going to be great,” Riley said.

Noack called the project one on the “most important” for the county.

“This is not only going to relieve traffic and ease congestion, it’s not only going to reduce accidents, it’s going to reduce response time for law enforcement and medical emergencies,” Noack said. “I won’t be here to see it finish, but I sure hope you guys continue to push and make this happen.”