State spending $21 million to expand Galveston ferry docks
Two of the bids delayed promise major relief for freeway travelers in the area. After it was initially bid to a company that later defaulted on its Texas jobs, officials are ready to proceed with a planned redesign of the Interstate 45 interchange with U.S. 59 near the University of Houston.
The $30 million project will shift the ramps from northbound I-45 to U.S. 59 to Spur 5, which serves as the connection to downtown Houston and runs parallel to I-45. Moving the U.S. 59 connection to Spur 5 eliminates a well-known chokepoint where traffic often weaves dangerously as people make their lane selections.
Once finished, drivers on I-45 northbound will make their connection to U.S. 59 sooner. The change also means someone entering the freeway at Scott Street near the UH campus cannot access U.S. 59.