(Note: Donations made here help promote the petition.   Donations do not support NoHigherNoWideri10 or this initiative directly).

The I-10 freeway in Houston, TX is already one of the widest freeways in the country.  It was built right through the heart of existing neighborhoods that pre-dated the freeway by decades, and divides these neighborhoods to this day.

Residents in these areas experience the negative impacts of this freeway in their daily lives: poor air quality, reduced neighborhood connectivity, persistent high noise levels, and numerous other impacts to quality of life.

Now, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is planning to worsen these impacts with proposed projects that would further expand I-10, either by seizing additional property to widen the freeway or adding additional elevated lanes, over 50 ft in the air.  These are the only two options that have been presented to the community by TxDOT, but we all know that other solutions are possible.

TxDOT has an obligation to consider alternatives that could mitigate these harms. One such solution could be a capped freeway design for portions of I-10.

This design would involve constructing a 'cap' or deck over the existing freeway lanes which can be utilized for a variety of purposes - for public space, park space, local businesses or even housing.  The freeway is already below grade in many of these areas, making it a prime candidate for freeway caps.

Capping freeways have been successful in other cities like Dallas and Seattle, where the caps have not only improved air quality but also revitalized communities by reconnecting divided neighborhoods (source: Project for Public Spaces). Furthermore, studies show that capped freeways can reduce noise pollution by up to 30% (source: Federal Highway Administration).

It's time for TxDOT to show that it can develop freeway concepts that enhance communities rather than degrade them.  A balanced approach means prioritizing neighborhoods, not just the commuters who drive past them.

Please sign this petition if you believe DOTs can develop projects that can help improve neighborhoods, rather than dividing them, with innovative approaches like capped freeways.