Construction on the Woodlands Parkway expansion is about to recommence after the Texas Department of Transportation has hired Woodlands-based Texas Sterling Construction to complete the westbound six-lane expansion on Woodlands Parkway.

TxDOT spokeswoman Deidrea Samuels said the agreement between the surety company and the contractor was signed on Dec. 4. After signing, Texas Sterling Construction has 14 days to begin working on the project. Work will begin by Dec. 18. Samuels said the new company has already begun clearing the area.

"[Texas Sterling Construction] has been out there and are removing signs by the previous contractor," Samuels said.

Texas Sterling Construction replaces Kingwood-based Menade Inc., who was terminated by TxDOT for missing deadlines.

The Woodlands Parkway expansion project, from Grogan's Mill Road to East Panther Creek Drive, is a little over 80 percent complete, according to TxDOT. It has been at a standstill since Menade was taken off the job in September. The eastbound lane expansion is complete, but the westbound expansion remains unfinished. The project was originally slated to be finished in December 2013.

Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack said Texas Sterling Construction performed well on the recent San Jacinto River Authority pipeline installation project, which was one of the reasons they were chosen.

"I think that Texas Sterling Construction has proven themselves as one of the top contractors in the industry," he said. "They did a super job in the SJRA pipeline project."