Articles

May Technical Speaker 1

North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP): Untangling the Downtown Loop

Darrin J. Willer, P.E., F.SAME - Vice President and Project Director with HNTB

The North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) consists of alternatives development and analysis in support of an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is a 24 mile long project to add capacity and improve safety of the IH 45 Corridor from BW8 North to the IH 45/IH 69 interchange and then along IH 69 to Spur 527.  The improvements being studied include adding four (4) Max Lanes (HOV+Express) (2-way, 24/7 operation), adding lanes to the frontage roads to allow for safer ingress/egress, and adding bike/ped features.   The project also includes an untangling of the downtown freeway systems and accommodations for privately-funded green space/deck parks in the Heights area, on the east side of downtown, and along IH 69 near Main/Fannin.  The project goal is to have a public hearing in late 2016 and receive environmental clearance in late 2017.

Darrin serves as Vice President and Project Director with HNTB. Darrin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. He was a member of the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets and was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1990 as a Combat Engineer, serving in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He completed numerous military schools including the Engineer Officer Basic Course, Airborne and Air Assault Schools, National Training Center (NTC) Desert Warfare Course, and

Hazardous Materials Shippers Course. Darrin left active duty as a Captain in 1995 to explore the private side of engineering, but continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves until 2003.

Since leaving active duty, Darrin has focused on the planning, design, and management of complex transportation projects. He is also a key figure in HNTB’s nationwide toll feasibility practice and toll facility planning.

Darrin is active in the community and serves as Past President and Fellow of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Houston/Galveston Post, Chairman of the Board for the North Houston Association (NHA), and is a member of the Northwest Houston Chamber of Commerce and Greater Houston Partnership.

Darrin and his wife, Amy, live in Spring, Texas with their daughters Katherine (20) and Madeline (18). Katherine attends the University of Houston and is majoring in Music Education.