Final designs on an estimated $11.8 million direct connector between Hwy. 249 south and Beltway 8 west is on track to begin in late 2013 or early 2014.

The project—part of the Harris County Toll Road Authority's capital improvement plan—is scheduled to be completed in 2015 and is entirely funded by HCTRA, according to Patti Evans, communications manager. While only about $17,000 of the nearly $500,000 in engineering costs has been provided as of January, the Texas Department of Transportation expects the project to be fully funded by the end of October.

"Currently, southbound Hwy. 249 [traffic] wishing to enter the westbound tollway must exit to the Hwy. 249 frontage road, turn at the signaled intersection and enter [Beltway 8] via a tolled entrance ramp," Evans said. "We are in the final design stage of the project, and expect design to be complete this summer."

The direct connector will be tolled to provide direct access between southbound Hwy. 249 and westbound Beltway 8, allowing motorists to bypass tolled entrance ramps, Evans said. Since the project will tie in with the state highway system, TxDOT will be involved with specific design and environmental documentation reviews, according to Raquelle Lewis, TxDOT public information officer.