[caption id="attachment_156266" align="alignright" width="220"] The I-45 high occupancy vehicle lane extension project will add one lane in each direction along I-45 from FM 1960 in north Harris County to South Loop 336 in Conroe. The HOV lane design is similar to those found on I-10 in Houston. Sixty-five percent of the project has been completed, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.[/caption]

1. I-45 HOV lanes

The I-45 high occupancy vehicle lane extension project will add one lane in each direction along I-45 from FM 1960 in north Harris County to South Loop 336 in Conroe. The HOV lane design is similar to those found on I-10 in Houston. Sixty-five percent of the project has been completed, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Timeline: October 2015-summer 2016 Cost: $2.6 million Funding sources: TxDOT

2. Rayford Road improvements

One of the first projects planned in Montgomery County Precinct 3 as a result of the successful November bond election, the Rayford Road improvement project includes widening the roadway from four to six lanes, building a six-lane bridge to bypass the Union Pacific Railroad and installing additional traffic lights. Construction is expected to take about two years to complete and could begin by early 2017. The project limits run from Richard Road east to the Grand Parkway. Timeline: TBA Cost: $60 million Funding sources: Montgomery County Precinct 3

3. Lake Woodlands Drive overpass

An overpass will be constructed on Lake Woodlands Drive between Lake Front Circle and Six Pines Drive in The Woodlands. Minimal lane closures are expected with the project, which will include four lanes to allow traffic on Lake Woodlands Drive to bypass the intersection at Grogan’s Mill Road. After completion, drivers will be able to U-turn and turn right into the H-E-B as well as Market Street. Timeline: mid-2016-mid-2017 Cost: $8 million Funding sources: The Woodlands Road Utility District

4. Robinson Road improvements

The Oak Ridge North City Council received an update in early June from engineering firm Klotz and Associates, which was hired to study several options to improve the Robinson Road corridor. The update involved the top five alternate options for the roadway that were voted on by residents during a town hall meeting earlier this year to see if any could be applicable for Robinson Road. Timeline: TBA Cost: TBA Funding sources: TBA

5. Research Forest Drive widening

The project involves widening Research Forest Drive from two to four lanes with asphalt shoulders from FM 2978 to Branch Crossing Drive. Engineering services for the design phase of the project were awarded in mid-April. According to county officials, the project is expected to reduce congestion on Research Forest and parallel routes. The project is one of the first in Precinct 2 to begin construction following the November county road bond approved by voters. Timeline: TBA Cost: $8 million Funding sources: Montgomery County Precinct 2

6. FM 2978 widening

TxDOT expects to start construction later this summer to widen FM 2978 from Dry Creek to FM 1488 on the west side of The Woodlands. The 6.5-mile widening project will take part in two sections: from Dry Creek to Hufsmith Conroe Road and from Dry Creek to FM 1488. The existing roadway is undivided with one lane in each direction. The project is expected to make the road safer and alleviate some congestion, according to TxDOT. Timeline: mid-2016-2019 Cost: $25 million Funding sources: TxDOT

7. Kuykendahl Road bridge

The design for a bridge on Kuykendahl Road over Spring Creek is completed and awaiting environmental approval. Harris and Montgomery counties and WRUD have approved the joint construction agreement. WRUD will manage the construction project on behalf of both counties, which are funding the project. WRUD funded the design. Once environmental approval is completed, WRUD will request bids. Timeline: TBA Cost: $7.4 million Funding sources: Harris County, Montgomery County, WRUD

 8. Gosling Road bridge

The project, designed by WRUD, spans Harris and Montgomery counties and includes the installation of a twin bridge over Spring Creek. Once funding sources have been identified, the project will be initiated. Timeline: TBA Cost: $7 million Funding sources: Harris County Precinct 4, Montgomery County