The completion of the 38-mile stretch of the Grand Parkway from Hwy. 290 to Hwy. 59 may be two-and-a-half years away, but the July 23 groundbreaking for segments F-1, F-2 and G was a landmark moment for a project that has been in the planning stages for decades.

"This is an extraordinary day for our state," said Phil Wilson, executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation. "We have to keep the magic flowing in the state of Texas, and this project is a part of that magic."

Linda Merritt, public information officer for Zachry-Odebrecht, the firm in charge of developing segments F1, F2 and G, said construction will begin at I-45 just south of Spring Crossing Road.

"There will be times when it will be inconvenient," Merritt said. "There is a staggered or phased construction schedule to hopefully ease the interruption of lane closures."

Environmental clearance was finalized in June, at which point TxDOT began selling bonds for the project. Unlike the other segments of Grand Parkway, which have so far been developed and constructed individually, F1, F2 and G will be constructed simultaneously, Merritt said.

"The three pieces should be ready by late 2015," she said.

Direct connect flyovers will be constructed at intersections of the Grand Parkway and major highways, such as Hwy. 290, I-45 and Hwy. 59. David Gornet, executive director of the Grand Parkway Association, said once the interchanges are built, construction on the rest of the roadway would progress relatively quickly.

Construction of the three segments is expected to create more than 1,200 jobs. The project consists of frontage roads, comprehensive utility infrastructure and more than 120 bridges. The total cost for this portion of the road is estimated at $1.1 billion.

Once completed, county leaders in Harris and Montgomery counties expect the highway to be a major catalyst for further economic growth in the area.

The three segments from Hwy. 290 to Hwy. 59 represent roughly 38 miles of the 184-mile loop. The full scope of the project involves looping the highway all the way around Houston, similar to the Sam Houston Tollway, but larger.

Signage will be posted on major roadways informing drivers of construction activity. Project updates and expected lane closures can be found on the project's website, www.grandparkway99.com.