1. I-45 HOV lanes
The I-45 high occupancy vehicle lane extension project will add one northbound lane and one southbound lane between FM 1960 in north Harris County and South Loop 336 in Conroe. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the HOV lanes were projected to open June 1, which did not take place due to a problem with signage. Ninety-five percent of the project has been completed.
Timeline: October 2015-September 2016 Cost: $2.6 million Funding sources: TxDOT
The Rayford Road improvement project, funded by the successful Montgomery County bond election last November, will widen the roadway from four to six lanes between Richard Road east to the Grand Parkway, build a six-lane bridge bypassing the Union Pacific Railroad and add traffic lights. Sixty-five percent of the engineering design is complete, and Montgomery County Precinct 3 is still working to acquire rights of way.[/caption]
2. Rayford Road improvements
The Rayford Road improvement project, funded by the successful Montgomery County bond election last November, will widen the roadway from four to six lanes between Richard Road east to the Grand Parkway, build a six-lane bridge bypassing the Union Pacific Railroad and add traffic lights. Sixty-five percent of the engineering design is complete, and Montgomery County Precinct 3 is still working to acquire rights of way.
Timeline: 2017-2019 Cost: $60 million Funding sources: Montgomery County Precinct 3
3. Research Forest Drive widening
The Research Forest Drive expansion will widen the road from two to four lanes with asphalt shoulders between FM 2978 and Branch Crossing Drive. The project will be funded by the successful November Montgomery County road bond election and is expected to reduce congestion on Research Forest Drive and parallel routes, county officials said. Engineering services for the design phase were awarded April 12.
Timeline: TBA Cost: $8 million Funding sources: Montgomery County Precinct 2
4. FM 2978 widening
The FM 2978 widening is a two-part, 6.5-mile widening project between Dry Creek and FM 1488 in Magnolia. The first section, from FM 1488 to south of Dry Creek, is delayed until August because of utility relocations and sound wall issues, according to TxDOT. The second section, from south of Dry Creek to Conroe Hufsmith Road has been suspended due to AT&T utility relocations. The second section has a projected completion of late 2017, while a timeline for the first section has not yet been determined.
Timeline: August 2016-TBA Cost: $23.9 million Funding sources: TxDOT
A Montgomery County Precinct 4 road bond project will extend David Memorial Drive from Shenandoah Park Drive north to Hwy. 242 in Shenandoah. The project is expected to improve mobility east of I-45 by providing a north-south connector behind the Sam Moon Center and the incoming Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital.[/caption]
5. David Memorial Drive extension
A Montgomery County Precinct 4 road bond project will extend David Memorial Drive from Shenandoah Park Drive north to Hwy. 242 in Shenandoah. The project is expected to improve mobility east of I-45 by providing a north-south connector behind the Sam Moon Center and the incoming Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital.
Timeline: TBA Cost: $2 million Funding sources: Montgomery County Precinct 4
6. Hardy Toll Road widening
Crews are widening the toll road from two to three lanes in both directions from FM 1960 to the Grand Parkway in Spring. The widening will include the construction of full shoulders and an interchange at the Grand Parkway is under construction. Signing and pavement markings will be updated along the entire stretch of the Hardy Toll Road, and bridge decks are being repaired. As of March, all tolled ramps along the Hardy Toll Road are EZ TAG accessible. From July 15-18, the entire Hardy Toll Road will be closed in both directions to remove the toll plazas. On July 18, cash will no longer be accepted on the toll road.
Timeline: January 2015-first quarter 2017 Cost: $95 million Funding sources: Harris County Toll Road Authority
