Transportation Updates   Grand Parkway Segment G Behind schedule[/caption]

1. Grand Parkway Segment G

The Texas Department of Transportation expects to complete Segment G of the Grand Parkway by late March. The new segment will connect I-45 to Hwy. 59. Segments F-1 and F-2 of the toll road opened to drivers in early February and connects Hwy. 290 in Cypress to I-45 south of The Woodlands. Segment G was delayed until the spring because of weather conditions in 2015. Also known as the Greater Houston area’s third loop, the Grand Parkway is a toll road that will span nearly 200 miles when complete and traverses several counties. Timeline: July 2013-March 2016 Cost: $1.2 billion Funding Sources: TxDOT

2. I-45 HOV lane extension

Construction continues on a project to extend the I-45 high occupancy vehicle lane from FM 1960 in north Harris County to South Loop 336 in Conroe. Construction began on the project last fall and is expected to be complete later this spring. Timeline:  October 2015-May 2016 Cost:  $2.6 million Funding sources: TxDOT

Woodlands Parkway lane improvements Project update[/caption]

3. Woodlands Parkway lane improvements 

Construction continues on improvements to the intersection at Woodlands Parkway and Grogans Mill Road. The project adds eastbound and westbound left-turn lanes, and widens the northbound and southbound approaches, and widens the area under the overpass. Lane closures associated with the project can be found on The Woodlands Township’s website. Timeline: June 2015-August 2016 Cost: $1.2 million Funding Sources: The Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1

4. I-45 single-point urban interchange

A proposed improvement to help accommodate growth in The Woodlands area involves construction of a single-point urban interchange at I-45 northbound and Woodlands Parkway/Robinson Road. The project could entail four ramps—two entrance and two exit—from the frontage road to the Woodlands Parkway/Robinson Road overpass that would be controlled by a three-phase traffic signal on top of the bridge. The project remains in the early study phase. Timeline: TBA Cost: $60 million Funding sources: TxDOT and Montgomery County

5. Lake Woodlands Drive

The WRUD plans to construct a 2-mile grade separation on Lake Woodlands Drive from Lake Front Circle west of Six Pines Drive. The overpass will be two lanes in both directions, eastbound and westbound. Timeline: TBA Cost: TBA Funding sources: WRUD No. 1 

6. Kuykendahl Road bridge

There are several plans in place to improve the Kuykendahl Road corridor leading into The Woodlands. Design work is underway on plans for the proposed two-lane bridge over Spring Creek, from Pine Plains to Flintridge drives. There is also a planned improvement—construction is expected to begin this spring—on improvements to Kuykendahl Road from Indian Hill Road to Timarron Drive. The portion of the roadway will be widened to four lanes, and improved drainage facilities will be installed as well. Timeline: TBA Cost: $6.1 million Funding Sources: WRUD, Harris and Montgomery counties

Robinson Road Proposed project[/caption]

7. Robinson Road

The city of Oak Ridge North is studying proposed improvements to Robinson Road. The City Council approved authorization for engineering firm Klotz and Associates to perform a Robinson Road alternative study that will examine the top five alternative options voted on by residents during a November town hall meeting. The study is a preliminary way to find out if any of the alternative solutions are applicable. The study is expected to be complete later this spring, and the results will be brought back to the council. Timeline: TBA Cost: TBA Funding sources: TBA

8. FM 2978 widening

TxDOT will begin construction on a two-part project to widen FM 2978 from Hufsmith Conroe Road to FM 1488. Construction on the northern portion of FM 2978, from Dry Creek to FM 1488, is expected to begin later this year. The Dry Creek bridge will be replaced, and the road will be widened from two to four lanes to match the southern portion. The project is expected to take 30 months to complete once construction begins. Timeline: spring 2016-2019 Cost: $25 million Funding sources: TxDOT