Phase 1 is already expected to exceed budget, so what’s going to happen to the rest of the project as TxDOT continues with construction?. Way back in ’03, TxDOT laid out plans to expand I-45 from Beltway 8 through downtown Houston. The project was originally meant to be complete in 2037, but that date has been changed to 2042 in order to accommodate the finishing touches to Beltway 8.