After KHOU 11 Investigates uncovered the issue of hundreds of high mast lights out on local highways, Houston Public Works has taken action by launching a comprehensive plan to address the problem. The initiative is now moving forward at an accelerated pace.
In early April, reporter Jeremy Rogalski and photojournalist Erik Darelius conducted an extensive survey of all highways in Harris County. They counted and mapped a total of 478 high mast lights that were not functioning. Out of these, 375 were located within the City of Houston limits, where Houston Public Works is responsible for maintenance under a long-standing agreement with TxDOT.
HPW Director Randy Macchi previously admitted that high-mast lights were not a top priority for the city. In an interview on April 15, he acknowledged the growing problem. “What’s happened over the years is we continued to kick the can down the road,” Macchi said. “One goes out here, that’s okay. Two goes out here, that’s okay. Then it balloons to 375. Well, now we’ve got to solve a major problem.”
Macchi presented a detailed plan and timeline to Houston City Council members to address the issue. According to the plan, approximately 90% of high-mast lights are expected to be operational by mid-summer 2026. The city and TxDOT are also working on system upgrades to enhance long-term reliability and reduce recurring issues. These upgrades include:
- Replacing aging high-mast towers
- Transitioning to more theft-resistant materials
- Upgrading fixtures with long-lasting LED lighting
- Strengthening interagency coordination
“What you have now is a group of people between the city and TxDOT who have put together plans to figure out how to get it done and how to get it done at scale,” Macchi said in a previous interview.
KHOU 11 Investigates identified more than 100 other high mast lights located in Harris County outside of city limits. A TxDOT spokesperson mentioned that Glenn Allbritton, District Engineer for TxDOT’s Houston Division, would be available for an interview to discuss the progress of those repairs.
Despite multiple attempts, KHOU 11 Investigates has been unable to secure that interview.
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