The Texas Department of Transportation opened two new direct connectors intended to provider smoother, safer access between the Grand Parkway and I-10. The final connector between the two raods will open at the end of June.

"Those connectors will enhance the opportunity for people to get to and from, on and off of Grand Parkway," said David Gornet, executive director of the Grand Parkway Association said. "It will allow people to get onto I-10 more readily and get to the Katy area."

On June 16, TxDOT held a ribbon cutting for the direct connectors linking I-10 eastbound with the Grand Parkway north and southbound. The ribbon cutting was attended by state and local officials including new TxDOT Executive Director Lt. Gen. Joe Weber, TxDOT Houston District Executive Director Mike Alford, Katy Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Brawner and U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston.

Lone Star Construction began work on the $31.2 million direct connector project in 2012. The first of the connectors opened in December 2013.

Direct access between I-10 and Grand Parkway means drivers save time, TxDOT spokeswoman Deidrea Samuels said.

"The connectors are going to stop motorists from having to go through signalized lights and intersections, adding anywhere from 15–30 minutes to their commute," Samuels said.

In addition to lowering commute times, the direct connectors should help prevent accidents that can occur at signalized intersections.

"It will make it safer, because you don't' have to stay on the feeder road and go down through the lights and make your turns," Gornet said. "We've all seen how accidents unfortunately happen at those intersections."