Texas Highway Project Proceeds Despite Neighborhood Backlash

A controversial highway project in Houston is moving forward after the Biden administration delayed it to probe concerns from environmental and social justice advocates.

The Federal Highway Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation said the $9 billion North Houston Highway Improvement Project is allowed to proceed, after Texas agreed to public meetings, enforceable timelines, and mitigation measures following a federal investigation. Critics say the agreement doesn’t go far enough.

The administration has been challenged in its efforts to limit highway expansion, recently pulling back its memo that encouraged repairing over building new roads after Republicans and states pushed back. ...