Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation announced at the end of 2016 that construction on a project to expand Hwy. 290 will take longer than expected.

Once anticipated to be finished by the end of 2017, officials now say the project will extend into 2018 due to delays in obtaining right of way and complications in relocating utilities. Several major elements are still expected to be completed this year. However, drivers will not be able to access new mainlanes until the entire project is completed, officials said.

The Hwy. 290 project involves widening the highway to varying lengths of three to five lanes in each direction between Loop 610 and FM 2920.

TxDOT hosts monthly public meetings on Hwy. 290 on the first Tuesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. at Houston First Church of God, located at 14400 Hwy. 290, Houston.