A project designed to improve drainage along I-45 leading up to Hwy. 242 is causing some traffic snarls for businesses and commuters in the Shenandoah area, but local officials said there are detour options to avoid construction—which is projected to be completed in 2028—to reach local businesses.
What’s being done
According to information from the Texas Department of Transportation, a $25.5 million project is underway to construct drainage improvements on the I-45 feeder.
The project began in mid-2025 and is funded by 80% federal funds and 20% state funds, according to information from TxDOT. The project is currently in progress on the northbound side, causing traffic backup at times, local officials said.
“The project has primarily impacted traffic flow in and around the city as travelers use the northbound feeder between Research Forest Drive and [Hwy.] 242 during peak travel times,” Shenandoah officials said in a statement to Community Impact.
The city has shared information on its webpage about the project, which will be updated as it progresses, according to city officials.
What else
There are two separate projects in the same area of Hwy. 242 and I-45, TxDOT officials said.
The drainage improvement project underway is:
- Located on the northbound frontage road at I-45 and south of Shenandoah to Hwy. 242
- Focused on long-standing drainage issues and helping with water accumulation during heavy rain
The other project in the vicinity is a direct connector that:
- Will link I-45 to Hwy. 242 and create a path allowing traffic to bypass the light at the Hwy. 242/I-45 frontage road
- Will help with traffic congestion
TxDOT officials said that tackling both issues at the same time was intentional, noting that the proximity of a hospital—Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital—nearby made both traffic and drainage improvements a priority.
Stay tuned
Jim Pollard, a Shenandoah City Council member, said the current construction feeds into other mobility issues in the area near Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital.
"The ongoing construction along the I-45 northbound feeder road at [Hwy.] 242 has significantly disrupted traffic flow in the area, creating daily congestion and delays," Pollard said. "This bottleneck not only impacts commuters but, more critically, has affected emergency vehicle access to Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital."
He said when work resumes on David Memorial Drive, that will also help traffic flow in the area.
Businesses along I-45, such as Precision Camera & Video, which is located at the Sam Moon Shopping Center, have addressed the impact by sharing alternate routes on their social media page for customers to avoid the traffic. Even with the construction, Precision Camera & Video has still seen customers continue to visit their location, store officials said.
“We understand that many of our valued guests have experienced difficulty accessing our store due to the ongoing construction along the [I-]45 feeder leading up to [Hwy.] 242. We truly appreciate your patience and continued support during this time,” officials said.
