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 move 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 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: An ongoing effort to repave nearly a dozen streets downtown 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.

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 here.

Zoom out

A Houston startup is racing to turn on a nuclear microreactor by July 4 — and is driving its module to Idaho in a pickup truck this week to begin federal testing.

Why it matters: Deployable Energy — founded last year, self-funded and with 20 full-time employees — is one of the four companies in the Department of Energy's new Nuclear Energy Launch Pad program, the agency announced this week.

• The U.S. is pushing to speed up advanced nuclear development.

State of play: The initiative is meant to help companies move from design to testing and real-world deployment faster.

• Deployable is competing to be one of the first companies to bring a new reactor to "criticality" — or turn it on — before a July 4 deadline.

What they're saying: Deployable co-founder and CEO Bobby Gallagher calls the company "scrappy" but tells Axios "we're emerging to be one of the leaders in this advanced reactor space."

• "Houston makes energy products. And this is just hopefully another energy product."

How it works: Deployable is developing a Houston-built microreactor designed to produce about 1 megawatt of power, which Gallagher says is enough to power about 700 houses and can be scaled for more homes and data centers.

Zoom in: Deployable is leaning on Houston's energy supply chain to build the reactors.

• "You need welders to weld the stainless steel structures. You need machine shops. You need assembly bays — and we have all those assets," Gallagher says. "Houston is the best place in the world to put things on skids and ship them to site."

Go deeper

🗳️ Voting started this week in the Houston City Council District C runoff election between community advocate Joe Panzarella and former City Hall staffer Nick Hellyar.

• Early voting runs through May 12, with runoff election day May 16. (Harris Votes)

✈️ Concession workers at George Bush Intercontinental Airport secured a minimum wage increase to $20 an hour through their labor union. (Houston Public Media)

🛒 Target is opening a $265 million warehouse in Houston this week, creating nearly 200 jobs as part of a broader supply chain expansion. (Houston Chronicle)

Do you know what now occupies the land where this storied Houston baseball stadium once stood?

The intrigue: We're here with another chance to put your Houston history knowledge to the test with this General Land Office aerial photo snapped in 1944.

📬 Sound off: Reply to this email with your guess. We'll share the answer tomorrow.

• The winner(s) will get kudos in the newsletter and a lifetime of pride.

✍️ Play bingo for special prizes at the HITS Theatre in the Heights.

• Game boards are $5 for one or $45 for 10. 6pm tomorrow.

🖼️ Shop from local artists at the Spring Vibe Art Fair at Sawyer Heights.

• Free. 11am-5pm Saturday and Sunday.

🤓 Geek out with hyper-fixated experts during Nerd Night at Grand Prize Bar.

• Free. 7pm Saturday.

📽️ Project your visuals onto the Menil Collection's main building during the annual Bring Your Own Beamer event.

• Free. 8:30-10:30pm Saturday.

🔥 Find your next spicy condiment at the Karbach Hot Sauce Festival.

• Free and family friendly. 11am-6pm Sunday.