Texas Department of Transportation Chief Engineer Bill Hale discusses the newest segment of the Grand Parkway that stretches from I-45 to Hwy. 59.[/caption] The Grand Parkway Segment G from I-45 to Hwy. 59 officially opened March 29. Public officials from Harris and Montgomery counties attended a luncheon and a ribbon cutting ceremony March 29 to celebrate the completion of the 13.7-mile road segment. “The newest segment of the Grand Parkway illustrates foresight, leadership and vision,” said Bill Hale, Texas Department of Transportation Chief Engineer. “Since 1960, various folks have authored and put together a well crafted facility with engineering and marketship and leveraged funds, resources and political will to get across the goal line, which is the envy of nations.” Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Moseley said that in 1910 there were 14,000 automobiles in Texas. Now, in the Greater Houston area alone, there are 6 million cars on the roadways. “Because of our dependence on this wonderful invention of technology, we now see the reverse of that is congestion and gridlock,” Moseley said. Moseley noted that since the opening of the other Grand Parkway segments earlier this year, residents have called to comment on how much time is shaved off their commute from I-10 to The Woodlands area. “The Grand Parkway today will give back a huge return on investment,” Moseley said. “It will give us back this miracle of time savings.” Hale said that building corridors like the Grand Parkway help those willing to pay to use the toll road as well as those who choose not to because traffic is better dispersed when more roads are available. “TxDOT has a mission,” Hale said. “It’s through collaboration of of leadership we deliver a safe, reliable…transportation system to enable the movement of people and goods.” Mosely said he is excited to see taxpayer dollars put to work in the private sector to make the Grand Parkway a reality. “The catalyst that really triggered and made this segment of the parkway really become a reality was economic development related to the Exxon Mobil campus coming to this region of the state,” Moseley said. Toll charges on the newly opened Grand Parkway segment will begin at midnight on Monday, April 4. It will cost $3.01 to get from I-45 to Hwy. 59.