HOUSTON — A proposed expansion of the Hardy Toll Road is getting push back. The project would connect the toll road to downtown, but some living in the near northside community say they don't want it, and its impact would be detrimental to the area.
The near northside community sits along a stretch of Hardy Street from 610 to I-10. While its seen changes, some say the proposed Hardy Downtown Connector project they can do without.
"The same communities over and over again are asked to bear the burden of these polluters, and in this case, the burden of pollution, for the sake of toll riders," said Air Alliance executive director Jennifer Hadayia.
Air Alliance is a clean air advocacy group in Houston, but Hadayia also grew up in the area. She along with supporters were out Saturday morning, again walking to block, working to bring awareness to the proposed project to connect the Hardy Toll Road to downtown Houston.
"It will be coming right through the near northside community. In fact, a block from where we’re standing right now next to the park will be four-lane, partially elevated and partially trenched highway," she said.
In a statement to KHOU 11 News, the Harris County Toll Road Authority said:
"Over the last 14 months, HCTRA conducted an extensive public engagement campaign to solicit the community’s input on a vision for the Hardy Downtown Connector project. This public engagement included community workshops as well as meetings with key community stakeholders and community organizations. The input provided by the community is vital in shaping the vision for the Hardy Downtown Connector Project. "
Air Alliance said they’ve been canvassing the community since December and a lot of people simply don’t know about the proposed highway. So, they’ve been trying to explain that if this goes through some people will be able to stand on their porch and see that four-lane highway.
"A four-lane highway can’t be undone. This isn’t a detour where you’re sending people around something for a little while and then you’ll fix it and return to their regular pattern. This will be permanent," she said.
HCTRA says a Final Visioning Report for the project is under development and will consolidate the input it's received, and it input it's gathering. Hadiya asks community to take advantage and send in their thoughts.