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TEXAS: HOT Lanes on the Katy Freeway in Houston

Katy Freeway (I-10), in the western portion of Houston, is a heavily congested urban interstate facility. The existing freeway is 23 miles long and consists of six general-purpose main lanes (three in each direction), with two-lane continuous one-way frontage roads in each direction for most of its length. Additionally, the freeway has a one-lane reversible high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane between I-610 and State Highway 6, and one HOV lane in each direction between State Highway 6 and the Grand Parkway (State Highway 99). West Houston is one of the fastest growing areas in the Houston metropolitan region. Population and employment along the corridor is projected to increase by 40 percent in the near future, with population in certain portions of the corridor expected to grow by up to 130 percent. The freeway was expanded to eight general-purpose lanes, four in each direction, with continuous three-lane frontage roads in each direction. In addition, in the center of the facility from I-610 west to State Highway 6, four HOT lanes operate, two in each direction. From State Highway 6 to the Grand Parkway, two HOT lanes operate, one in each direction.

Operational Status

The Katy Freeway HOT Lanes project did not receive Value Pricing funds, however the project obtained the authority to toll through the Value Pricing Program in 2002.

Tolling operations began on the Managed lanes on April 18, 2009. HOV 2+ are allowed during the hours of 5 am to 11 am and 2 pm to 8 pm, Monday through Friday, both eastbound and westbound. At all other the times HOV 2+ are required to pay tolls. More information can be found about the lanes at: https://www.hctra.org/katymanagedlanes/

For More Information Contact

David Fink
Texas Department of Transportation
Phone: (713) 881-3063
E-mail: dfink1@houstontranstar.org


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