Houston's highway construction will taper ahead of World Cup
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Crews will pump the brakes on Houston's highway construction to ease traffic congestion during the World Cup, officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: The effort is part of a broader strategy to make Houston as attractive as possible with the world's gaze on the Bayou City this summer.
Catch up quick: Houston is in the midst of several highway construction projects inside Loop 610.
- That includes work along Interstate 10 near downtown for the White Oak Bayou elevation project and construction near the Texas Highway 288/Interstate 69 interchange for the early stages of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project.
Driving the news: The Texas Department of Transportation pledged to "open up every single lane" of highway it safely can by June 1, FIFA Houston vice president of operations John Coppins tells Axios.
- That means the agency will "scale back" construction-related closures and maintenance closest to the stadium and city center, TxDOT Houston District spokesperson Danny Perez tells Axios.
- TxDOT will also minimize interruptions near Houston's airports and monitor traffic conditions during the World Cup to address issues as they arise, Perez adds.
What they're saying: "TxDOT doesn't have to do that," Coppins says. "It is optional."
- "But we've worked hard ... to make sure they understand the magnitude of the event and the importance of making sure that our region and Houston and Harris County specifically present the most visitor-friendly environment," Coppins says.
Zoom in: Downtown, where soccer fans will congregate for World Cup festivities, an ongoing effort to repave nearly a dozen streets will also be finished by June 1, city of Houston spokesperson Mary Benton tell Axios.
- Downtown Houston+, an arm of the downtown management district, is handling the bulk of that work, with Houston Public Works and Metropolitan Transit Authority also contributing, Benton says.
- Metro completed its portion of the work in January. As of late April, work is still continuing on portions managed Houston Public Works and Downtown Houston+, Benton says.
Zoom out: FIFA is pushing ticket-holders to rely on Metro's Red Line to get to Houston Stadium for the matches.
- Some fans staying close to the Red Line can walk to the train. Others staying regionally should use park-and-ride and other bus services to get downtown and hop on the rail, Metro says.
Yes, but: Some fans from out of town might just rent a car and drive to their destinations, Coppins says. He urged locals to pack some patience with drivers unfamiliar with how Houstonians drive.
- Patience is "not the easiest thing for Houston drivers," Coppins says. "There's going to be a lot of people in town for the first time and may be unfamiliar with our roads."
What's next: FIFA expects the first international fans to arrive in town around June 12, Coppins says.
- Germany takes on Curaçao on June 14 in the first of seven matches hosted in Houston.