At its Sept. 22 meeting, the Texas Transportation Commission unanimously voted to pause toll rate price increases set to take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

“The toll rate escalation percentage is calculated in accordance with the consumer price index formula outlined in the toll rate escalation policy,” Toll Operations Division Director Tracey Johnson said at the meeting. “Based on current trends, it is anticipated that the reported toll rate escalation percentage will be unusually high.”

The toll rate prices for the tolled portion of Hwy. 249—the Tomball Tollway—and the Grand Parkway were set to increase by 9.76%, according to documents from the meeting’s agenda. Last year, the toll rate prices increased for both toll roads by 6%.

Pausing the toll rate increases will give the commission time to review its toll rate escalation policy and rate adjustment options, Johnson said at the meeting.

This price pause affects toll rates on Hwy. 249 from FM 1774 in Pinehurst to FM 1774 in Todd Mission, and the Grand Parkway in the north Houston area between Hwy. 59 near New Caney to I-10 in Katy, spanning Spring, Tomball and Cypress.