As construction on segments F-1, F-2 and G of the Grand Parkway heads into its second year, local officials are hoping an additional direct connector designed to alleviate traffic east of I-45 is added to the project.
Construction on the Grand Parkway/I-45 interchange features two direct connectors: I-45 southbound to westbound Hwy. 99, and Hwy. 99 eastbound to northbound I-45. The initial plan for the interchange called for eight direct connectors, including ramps taking traffic to and from areas east of I-45.
However, representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation and the Grand Parkway Association said direct connectors east of I-45 are not needed.
"TxDOT performed a Traffic and Review Study on the entire corridor that includes the direct connectors at the I-45 interchange," TxDOT spokeswoman Deidrea Samuels said. "As a result, the T&R study showed that only two [direct connectors] will be needed within the first 15 years of the project."
Samuels said the two direct connectors under construction at the interchange addressed the greatest traffic demand while addressing the local traffic generated by the development of the ExxonMobil headquarters under construction north of segment F-2 of the Grand Parkway.
However, local officials said TxDOT has miscalculated the traffic demands and more direct connectors are needed sooner rather than later.
"I do not believe [TxDOT has] taken into consideration the particular needs in the community, the demand that Harris County is putting on our infrastructure and the [effect of the] ExxonMobil campus," said James Noack, Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner.
Noack said he has worked with officials from Montgomery County, state Rep. Steve Toth, and Sen. Brandon Creighton to enlist their support for additional direct connector, from the westbound Grand Parkway to northbound I-45.
Between May and July of 2013, Noack, Toth, Creighton and Montgomery County Engineer Mark Mooney each sent letters to TxDOT representatives, including Commissioner Jeff Moseley.
"It is imperative that plans [for the Grand Parkway] include direct connectors for westbound SH 99 and northbound I-45 and/or Hardy Toll Road," Noack wrote to Eddie Sanchez, director of the TxDOT Houston district strategic projects office. "As one of the fastest growing counties in the nation, it seems incomprehensible that these connectors are not warranted today."
Sanchez wrote back to Noack, stating he agreed the additional direct connectors would be an improvement to the system under construction and that TxDOT would consider the project if funding became available.
"We would ... consider the additional [direct connectors] if additional funds could be made available to offset the increased design and construction cost impacts," Sanchez wrote.
The estimated cost for the direct connector would be about $20 million, Noack said. He said TxDOT officials are not familiar with local traffic issues.
"[TxDOT officials] don't drive that roadway every day, and they have underestimated the growth," Noack said.
Noack said Montgomery County would likely need to partner with Harris County to help compile any local funding that would be needed for additional direct connectors.
David Gornet, president of the Grand Parkway Association, said any future direct connectors would not fall under the construction purview of Zachry-Odebrecht, the contractor constructing segments F-1, F-2 and G of the Grand Parkway.
He said TxDOT would be responsible for building any additional direct connectors, and the design of the existing connectors allows for additions to be made.
"[The contractor] is not going to have to go in and knock out a piece of bridge to tie in [new direct connectors] where the ramp goes off," Gornet said. "And it would not be interfering with through traffic. That is typically how TxDOT has designed intersections."
The Grand Parkway is expected to be complete by the end of 2015.
