Construction on Stuebner Airline Road will soon provide drivers traveling between Houston and Tomball with another north-south corridor as an alternative to Hwy. 249. The project will widen the street from two lanes to five between Spring Cypress Road and FM 2920. Two lanes will run in each direction, with one continuous turn lane in the middle.

This initiative is particularly important because of its proximity to the David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport, said Jack Cagle, county commissioner in Harris County's Precinct 4, which is funding the project.

"The improvements to Stuebner Airline allow us to keep up with the growth in this area of neighborhoods and businesses alike," Cagle said. "More and more people are using Hooks Airport and the explosive growth of the entire Tomball area points to the necessity of providing quality roads in Precinct 4 to support our thriving economy and quality of life."

The project has been divided into two segments. Construction has started on Segment A, which runs from Spring Cypress Road to Thora Lane and is expected to be finished by May 1. Segment B will continue from Thora Lane to FM 2920 and will be finished before Labor Day, Cagle said.

The project also involves putting detention ponds in north of Spring Cypress Road on the west side and north of Thora Lane on the east side. The roadway drainage system will include a combination of swale ditches and a storm sewer system extending along the entire corridor, said Mark Seegers, communications director with Harris County Precinct 4.

Hassell Construction commenced construction on Segment A in July 2012. Notice to proceed was issued for construction on Segment B in February.