The Texas Department of Transportation has awarded a design-build contract to Grand Parkway Infrastructure for construction of Grand Parkway segments H, I-1 and I-2, according to a March 28 statement from TxDOT. Construction of the tollway is slated to begin in early 2018, with lanes opening to traffic in 2022. “Development of the Grand Parkway is an important priority for the Houston area and the state of Texas," TxDOT Houston District Engineer Quincy Allen said in a statement. "Constructing this outer loop system provides motorists more direct travel options for the movement of goods, people and services to, through and around the region while keeping them from going into the core of the Houston area.” Grand Parkway Infrastructure, which includes Ferrovial Agroman US, Granite Construction Co. and Webber LLC, will develop, design, construct and maintain the 44-mile stretch of the Grand Parkway, according to the statement. Segments H through I-2 will pass through Chambers, Harris, Liberty and Montgomery counties when completed, connecting Hwy. 59 in New Caney to Hwy. 146 in Baytown. The project will complete the northeast segments of the 180-mile Grand Parkway. Segments H, I-1 and I-2 follow segments F-1, F-2 and G, which opened to traffic in early 2016 and provide a direct route from Hwy. 290 in Cypress to Hwy. 59 in New Caney. According to the statement, the project includes construction of a two-lane tollway with intermittent four-lane sections from Hwy. 59 North to I-10 East as well as construction of four toll lanes from FM 1405 in Baytown to Hwy. 146. Additionally, existing tolling equipment will be upgraded on Segment I-2A, which spans from I-10 East to FM 1405. Segment I-2A opened to traffic in March 2008, according to the Grand Parkway Transportation Corporation. “We’re looking forward to this project getting off the ground soon,” TxDOT Beaumont District Engineer Tucker Ferguson said in a statement. “With Chambers and Liberty Counties steadily growing, this will be a great asset to not only the communities but to local industry.”