Motorists in north Houston expecting to use the city’s third outer loop in 2015 on their daily commutes will have to wait a few more months. Contractor Zachry-Odebrecht Parkway Builders has announced segments F-1, F-2 and G of the Grand Parkway will open sometime in the first quarter of 2016.

“All three segments are scheduled to be open first quarter of 2016,” said public information officer Ibette Cavazos. “We don’t have an exact date yet. Once that becomes available we’ll share that with the public.”

Originally planned for completion by the end of 2015, the three segments stretch 38 miles and will connect Hwy. 290 to Hwy. 59 when completed. Officials for Zachry-Odebrecht, the design-build firm constructing the tollway, said weather has played a significant role in the delay.

“The project did encounter setbacks particularly with the heavy rains during the month of May and June,” Cavazos said in an email. “Both Harris and Montgomery counties were included in presidential and gubernatorial disaster declarations issued for flooding events which began on early May 2015.”

Although the project was delayed from its original expected completion date, Zachry-Odebrecht achieved a significant construction milestone in December by setting all of the beams and bridge decks for the project, according to a press release. A total of 121 bridge decks and 3,802 concrete beams were set for the toll road.

The $1.1 billion construction project is being funded by the Texas Department of Transportation.

For more information on the Grand Parkway, visit www.grandparkway99.com.