| (Houston) - Today the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding the state’s plan on the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP). FHWA had previously asked the state to halt construction on the project as they evaluated concerns raised under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “The FHWA agreement announced today bolsters the county’s and city’s agreements with TxDOT from late last year. Many of the commitments TxDOT made to the county and the city are now subject to federal government monitoring and enforcement throughout the projects design and construction,” said Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. “I’m glad the federal government ratified and built on the work done by local government – this agreement ensures the county’s and city’s interests will be considered during the life of the project”. Late last year, Harris County announced a resolution of its lawsuit against TxDOT under the National Environmental Policy Act. The Memorandum of Understanding between the county and TxDOT is available here, and is also available in Spanish, Mandarin, and Vietnamese. |