HOUSTON — The long-awaited Hardy Downtown Connector is taking another step towards becoming a reality. On Tuesday, Harris County Commissioners Court voted to move forward with the next steps of the project after nearly two years of community engagement.
The project will go through the Near Northside neighborhood from the 610 Loop into downtown. Harris County leaders said they're ready to see the project move forward, but some groups remain opposed to the project.
During public comment, at least five people spoke in support of the project, while at least three spoke in opposition, citing a need for bus rapid transit along the toll road. Groups like Air Alliance Houston have protested the project in the past.
“We know the addition of highways and car lanes brings tailpipe emissions into the community, tailpipe emissions are one of our largest sources of air pollution,” Jennifer Hadayia, executive director of Air Alliance Houston told KHOU 11 News.
Leaders like Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said there will be green space, flood and roadway noise mitigation, and community connectivity.
“Not only have we listened and checked the boxes…but we’ve taken what they’ve given us and we’ve incorporated the concepts into the project,” Garcia said.
After the project is discussed in commissioner’s court, Garcia plans to file a motion to take the project to the study phase so engineering work can begin.
Groups like Air Alliance Houston are concerned with passing vehicles that emissions could be an issue.
“As a project, it's not going to help Harris County come into attainment with air quality standards and we will not meet our climate goals,” Hadayia said.
Garcia said he believes the project will address concerns from both sides.
“It’s providing green space, it's providing walkability and bike trails, it's bringing all of those issues that will help to mitigate the concerns of air quality emissions,” Garcia said.
Around 6:20 p.m., Harris County Commissioners unanimously approved a request to approve the Hardy Downtown Connector study report and move forward with the project.
According to staff from Garcia's office, an additional motion was passed to perform an environmental study, look at multi-modal transportation options, and look at possible affordable housing opportunities adjacent to the project.
The study phase of the project could take a year, so it will be some time before shovels go into the ground. To learn more about the project, you can visit the HCTRA website.