The I-45 high occupancy vehicle lanes that were anticipated to open by Sept. 15 have been further delayed due to inclement weather, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Construction on the $2.6 million project began in October 2015 and was originally slated for completion in June. Although the bulk of the construction has been complete for most of this summer, due to signage issues and inclement weather delaying the lane striping, the opening date has been further pushed back. “The latest projected opening date was Sept. 15 for the southbound HOV lanes and the end of September for the northbound HOV lanes, but due to the weather the striping has not been finished,” TxDOT spokesperson Deidrea George said. “Right now, we are hopeful that we will have the southbound HOV lanes open by the end of the month. We do not have a projected date for the northbound HOV lanes yet.” The project will add a north- and southbound HOV lane spanning 17.6 miles between South Loop 336 in Conroe and FM 1960 in northern Harris County. The lanes will not have physical barriers and will be open in both directions at all times. Once complete, the lanes will be open 24/7, free of charge for drivers traveling with at least one passenger onboard, according to TxDOT. Additional reporting by Jesse Mendoza.