Long story short
As previously reported by Community Impact, a project to improve FM 1960 in the Willowbrook area has been in the works since 2006. Over the years, the project has been delayed multiple times due to utility conflicts, right-of-way acquisitions and railroad requisites required for the project. The project was first scheduled to go out for bids in 2018.
What's being done
According to TxDOT officials, the Willowbrook-area project will expand FM 1960 between Hwy. 249 and Cutten Road while also adding:
- New pavement
- Continuous sidewalks
- Traffic signals
- Drainage improvements
"The project is designed to improve mobility, reduce congestion and enhance safety for the motoring public," TxDOT Public Information Officer Bambi Hall said.
In a March 29 email, Hall noted city of Houston waterline and storm sewer improvements are underway as part of the project. The project contractor is SER Construction Partners, LLC, and construction is expected to be completed in summer 2026.
"Motorists can expect daily and long-term lane closures along with lane configuration changes as the project progresses," Hall said. "The closures will primarily affect one lane at a time."
The cost
When Community Impact last reported on the project in 2022, TxDOT officials estimated the FM 1960 project to cost roughly $20 million with 80% of funding coming from federal funds and 20% coming from state funds. As of March 25, Hall said the project is now estimated to cost $27.3 million.
"Prior to letting, any cost is considered an estimate," Hall said. "All projects are subject to cost escalations as the cost of materials, equipment, etc., may be dictated by current market rates."
Why it matters
As previously reported by Community Impact, average daily traffic counts on FM 1960 near Hwy. 249 have fluctuated over the last 10 years, peaking at 70,829 in 2015. Overall, traffic has risen over the last decade from 56,000 cars in 2011 to between 65,000-70,000 annually from 2014-19, prior to the pandemic.
In 2016, TxDOT officials estimated traffic along the Willowbrook stretch of FM 1960 costs commuters 300,000 hours of time and more than $52 million in gas and other expenses each year.
In 2019, the segment of FM 1960 between Hwy. 249 and I-45, stretching 8.25 miles, was ranked the 27th most congested roadway in Texas, according to a Texas A&M Transportation Institute report.
