On February 4, 2021, the Texas Department of Transportation announced issuance of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP). Below is LINK Houston’s statement regarding the ROD.
“LINK Houston’s mission is to advocate for equity in transportation. We will continue fighting alongside residents and partners to ensure that the North Houston Highway Improvement Project protects people, preserves homes and businesses, and improves the quality of life for all residents, particularly those living immediately adjacent to the project corridor.
The NHHIP, which continues to disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities, is inequitable. The Record of Decision makes clear that this project only perpetuates the historical injustices of highway construction towards Black and Brown communities. TxDOT insists that it can still ‘fully explore many of the project refinements.’ ‘Refinements’ is a blatant mischaracterization of the critical changes requested by Harris County, the City of Houston, and other elected officials representing the people of the directly impacted communities. TxDOT’s statement asserts that the agency will continue to meet with stakeholders and accept public input. The very act, however, of issuing the Record of Decision at this time and on the birthday of Rosa Parks and Transit Equity Day, demonstrates the agency’s true intentions. TxDOT has not presented itself as a good faith partner to any of the stakeholders involved. TxDOT has failed to meaningfully address the environmental justice issues – residential displacement, loss of cultural and historical locations, and air quality – impacting the residents and businesses alongside the project.”
– Oni Blair, Executive Director, LINK Houston