Construction is slated to start in September on a frontage road for I-45 between FM 830 and FM 1097 in the Willis area, according to Texas Department of Transportation officials. The new road is estimated to cost $7 million.

TxDOT Public Information Officer Emily Black confirmed to Community Impact Newspaper that construction bids will be decided in July before construction can begin. According to TxDOT’s Regional Project Planner, the final construction timeline for the frontage road is unknown.

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough signed an advanced funding agreement for the project at a Jan. 25 Commissioners Court meeting. According to the agreement, the project is a northbound frontage road.

The new road will serve Moran Ranch, a 500-acre mixed-use development on the east side of I-45 that will include the Market at Willis Shopping Center, which is anchored by an H-E-B under construction. Community Impact Newspaper previously reported about 900 homes will begin construction in late summer or early fall in Moran Ranch.