Transportation Updates Conroe | Montgomery[/caption] Transportation Updates Grand Parkway Openings[/caption]

1. The Grand Parkway

The Texas Department of Transportation has wrapped up construction on segments F-1 and F-2 of the Grand Parkway, which now connects Hwy. 290 in Cypress with I-45 in Spring. The two segments opened to traffic Feb. 6, and toll rates went into effect Feb. 15. Segment G, which will connect I-45 to Hwy. 59, has been delayed until March because of weather-related setbacks last year. Also known as the Greater Houston area’s third outer loop, the Grand Parkway is a toll road that will span 200 miles once complete.

Timeline: July 2013-March 2016 Cost: $1.2 billion Funding sources: TxDOT

2. FM 3083 railroad overpass

Work on the expansion of FM 3083 continues with construction of an overpass at the Union Pacific Railroad. FM 3083 has already been expanded from I-45 to the starting location of the overpass bridge. The project will continue to widen the road from the start of the bridge to Stewart’s Creek. Once complete, the road will have two lanes on each side and a continuous left-turn lane.

Timeline: first quarter 2016-2018 Cost: $13.1 million Funding sources: TxDOT

3. Drennan Road extension

A Drennan Road mobility project will extend the roadway from its terminus at Plantation Drive to Hwy. 75. The project will continue the existing five-lane roadway to provide greater access to and from the future Conroe Police Department headquarters, which is under construction at 2300 Plantation Drive. The project is expected to be complete by the end of February.

Timeline: July 2015-February 2016 Cost: $2.4 million Funding sources: city of Conroe

4. I-45 HOV lanes

The I-45 high occupancy vehicle lane extension project will add one HOV lane in each direction along I-45 from FM 1960 in north Harris County to S. Loop 336 in Conroe. The 16-mile HOV lane will be similar to those found on I-10 in Houston. Construction began in October, and the project will be complete by the second quarter of 2016, according to TxDOT.

Timeline: October 2015-May 2016 Cost: $2.6 million Funding sources: TxDOT

5. FM 1097 overlay

Smith and Company crews have completed a 2-inch overlay project by TxDOT on FM 1097 from I-45 to FM 149. The project will be finalized early this year.

Timeline: May 2015-first quarter 2016 Cost: $4.1 million Funding sources: TxDOT, Montgomery County

Transportation Updates Honea Egypt Road expansion[/caption]

6. Honea Egypt Road expansion

Construction on Honea Egypt Road from FM 1488 to Ranch Lake Drive has wrapped up as crews worked to expand the thoroughfare from two to four lanes. The length of the project includes a continuous left-turn lane much like already expanded segments of the roadway to the north of the project near the Woodforest community.

Timeline: June 2015-early 2016 Cost: $2.62 million Funding sources: Montgomery County Precinct 2, Westwood Improvement District