Construction continues on I-45 South in the Friendswood area. The pair of Texas Department of Transportation projects to widen the interstate—which total nearly $170 million—is expected to be complete in 2018, according to officials.

The projects—which stretch approximately 6 miles from Beltway 8 to FM 2351 and FM 2351 to Bay Area Boulevard—will expand I-45 from six to 10 main lanes and include six frontage lanes upon completion, officials said.

Construction on the segment from Beltway 8 to FM 2351 began in June 2011 and is about 75 percent complete as of early January. The project from FM 2351 to Bay Area Boulevard started in December 2012 and is approximately 63 percent complete.

As part of the widening projects, the El Dorado Boulevard overpass at I-45 was demolished and depressed. The interstate now travels over the intersection to improve mobility and safety, officials said.

The same reconstruction process will take place at the Bay Area Boulevard overpass beginning in April. That aspect of the project is expected to be complete in July, according to officials.