The $23.9 million FM 2978 widening project has been placed on the back burner until the first quarter of 2017 due to utility delays, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The two-part, 6.5-mile widening project was first selected by the Houston-Galveston Area Council for funding in 2013. Construction was initially supposed to begin in spring 2016 and wrap up in 2019. The northern portion, from FM 1488 to south of Dry Creek, is expected to take 30 months to complete once construction begins and will cost $15.788 million. The southern section, south of Dry Creek to Conroe Hufsmith, is expected to take 18 months to complete and will cost $8.195 million. The project was first delayed in June due to sound wall and utility issues in the northern portion as well as a conflict with AT&T in the southern portion. At that time, TxDOT estimated the northern portion would be delayed until August while the southern portion was put under time suspension while AT&T relocated. Upon completion, the project will add two 11-foot lanes on either side divided by a 16-foot center-turn lane, replace the Dry Creek bridge and add 5-foot shoulders to accommodate cycling traffic. It will also add 4-foot sidewalks in specific locations for pedestrians. The project is funded through state and federal allocations.