Equity in Transit 2026: Detours and Disruption
Equity in Transit 2026 takes a closer look at the impact of the I-45 Expansion Project on riders – and identifies ways for transit to be part of the solution for everyone. We surveyed over 500 Houstonians to learn their feelings about the projects, how they cope with delays, and the transportation improvements they’d like to see..
The project has already displaced families, destroyed housing, and caused business closures in the corridor.
As of September 2026, over 12 METRO routes are running on detours because of TxDOT’s construction impacting over 15,000 daily transit trips. Throughout the duration of construction, the project will impact 65 METRO bus and rail routes – over half of METRO’s network – serving almost 200,000 daily transit trips.
When transit becomes burdensome, everyone suffers from more cars on the road. METRO, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the City of Houston, and Harris County must work together to provide relief to riders.
TxDOT especially must dedicate more resources to METRO and local agencies to mitigate the impacts of their project.
LINK Houston recommends that METRO:
- Move Riders Faster Through Traffic by running all-day, all-week express and Park and Ride service,
- Make Detours Faster and More Direct, saving thousands of hours each day for METRO riders,
- Leave No Riders Behind by upgrading sidewalks, crosswalks, and ramps – and expanding microtransit – in areas impacted by construction
- Improve Communications About Disruptions to ensure everyone has the clear information they need to make informed decision about their travel
