Spur 5 Expansion: between I-45 and 610S

Summary of the TxDOT Spur 5 / SH 35 Expansion Project

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is expanding State Highway 35 / Spur 5 between Interstate 45 and Interstate 610 in southeast Houston. According to TxDOT, the project would extend existing Spur 5 and construct a new four- to ten-lane roadway with elevated interchanges and direct connectors to improve traffic flow and hurricane evacuation capacity. The project spans approximately 3.4 miles and requires additional right-of-way acquisition. (Texas Department of Transportation)

TxDOT states the goals of the project are to:

• Reduce congestion

• Improve north/south mobility

• Accommodate future population growth

• Improve evacuation routes during hurricanes (Texas Department of Transportation)

Construction began in 2023 as part of the Texas Clear Lanes program. TxDOT says the project includes:

• New freeway main lanes

• Elevated multi-level interchanges at I-610

• Four elevated direct connectors

• Expanded bridge capacity near rail crossings

• Reconstruction of roadway segments near Griggs Road, Mykawa Road, and Long Drive (Texas Department of Transportation)

TxDOT estimated the project would cost roughly $93.9 million for the Griggs-to-I-45 section, while broader corridor improvements are part of a larger regional investment program. 

Community Concerns and Opposition

Neighborhood organizations and residents have raised concerns about the project’s long-term impacts. Critics argue that freeway expansion can increase traffic demand over time rather than reduce congestion, a concept often referred to as “induced demand.” Community groups have also cited concerns about:

• Increased noise and air pollution

• Impacts to neighborhood connectivity

• Limited public engagement and notification

• Property displacement

• Trail and pedestrian access disruptions near Brays Bayou (Fonde Civic Club) 

• Reasons for expansion do not exist. Harris County shelters in place (hurricane evacuation), future population growth (not in this area), (North and South mobility) Not needed as there is a high capacity I-45 and 610 North and South connector 2 miles or less from Spur 5, (reduce congestion) Induced Demand means that when roads get bigger or more lanes are added, more people start driving on them, so traffic often becomes crowded again after a while.

TxDOT documents acknowledge that the project could require additional right-of-way acquisition and may displace residences and businesses. (Texas Department of Transportation)

Official TxDOT Project Information

• TxDOT SH 35 / Spur 5 Project Page

• TxDOT Public Hearing Materials (Dec. 2022)

• TxDOT Construction Announcement

Community Opposition and Advocacy Resources

• Fonde Civic Club – Spur 5 Expansion Information

• Fonde Civic Club – Project Information and Community Concerns

Initiatives:

The Spur 5 Initiative: Protecting Our Air, Our Health, and Our Future

Follow the link to find out about the Spur 5 Community Air Monitoring Project and our related efforts to protect Superneighborhood 69 (SN69). Our community—encompassing Fonde, Gulfgate, Riverview, and Pine Valley—is a vibrant, 87% Hispanic neighborhood currently facing unprecedented environmental and industrial stressors.

With the Spur 5 (Alvin Freeway) expansion and a predicted 200% increase in railroad traffic, our residents are on the front lines of noise and air pollution. Because we believe in "Nothing About Us Without Us," we are taking the lead in documenting these impacts to move our community from "surviving to thriving". We are conducting a Healthy Survey to document our community's health.

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