The long-awaited Hwy. 249 corridor expansion—a project that was removed from the Houston-Galveston Area Council 2035 regional transportation plan in 2010 because of funding concerns—became a reality when Phase 1 opened to drivers April 12.
“This [project] has been a long time coming,” said state Rep. Allen Fletcher, R-Cypress.
Within the first 24 hours of the Tomball Tollway opening, 33,000 vehicles traveled on the road, according to the Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce. Phase 1 spans from north of Spring Cypress Road to north of FM 2920. With tolls ranging from 90 cents for one exit or entrance to $1.45 to travel the entire 6 miles, HCTRA brought in an estimated $50,000 in toll collections during the initial 24-hour period.
“It’s a big impact to the region and another option for commuters heading from Montgomery County into Harris County,” said Quinton Alberto, HCTRA assistant director of maintenance and traffic engineering. “It’s a great solution, and it will help ease congestion on [FM] 2920.”
