Grand Parkway expansion to begin in fall 2023
Construction on a project to expand the F-2 segment of the Grand Parkway is expected to begin this fall, according to officials with the Texas Department of Transportation.
As previously reported by Community Impact, the project will expand the Grand Parkway from four to six lanes between Hwy. 249 in Tomball and Holzwarth Road in Spring. According to TxDOT officials, the tollway’s four existing lanes will be kept in operation during the project, and the new lanes—one in each direction—will be expanded inward, reducing the impact construction will have on the surrounding area.
The two-part project will be completed in two segments. Segment A, which runs from Hwy. 249 to Kuykendahl Road, is expected to begin advertising for bids in August and will take 42 months to complete at a cost of $63 million. Segment B, which runs from Kuykendahl Road to Holzwarth Road, will advertise for bids in October 2024 and take 36 months to complete at a cost of $38 million.
According to TxDOT officials, the expansion is needed for the tollway to maintain a specific level of service as data shows average annual daily traffic increased by more than 50% from F-2’s opening in 2016 to 2019—increasing from 43,358 to 65,779 in that timespan.
I-45 bridge replacement
Work is underway on a project to replace the I-45 southbound frontage road bridge over Cypress Creek, which has been closed since March due to safety concerns. The project’s cost has increased from $6.7 million to $8.6 million due to increased material costs as well as costs to expedite the project to be completed by summer 2023 instead of March 2024.
Timeline: March 2022-summer 2023
Cost: $8.6 million
Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation
FM 1960 widening
A project to expand FM 1960 between Centerfield Drive and Cutten Road is scheduled to go out for bids in August. The project will add a through lane east- and westbound on FM 1960 from the Willowbrook Mall center entrance to Cutten Road and add new pavement, continuous sidewalks, traffic signals and drainage improvements.
Timeline: advertising for bids in August, construction in 28 months
Cost: $20 million
Funding sources: 80% federal, 20% state
