Final segment of Hwy. 249 opens to drivers

A multiagency project that has been ongoing since late 2017 to extend Hwy. 249 from Tomball to Hwy. 105 is complete, according to the Texas Department of Transportation's Bryan District.

The 11-mile final stretch from FM 1774 in Plantersville to Hwy. 105 in Grimes County near Navasota opened to drivers Oct. 27 as a two-lane, nontolled highway, transportation agencies announced on social media pages.

We are excited to announce that as of Oct. 27, 2022, Segment 2 is now open to the public! pic.twitter.com/b5eMC2EIXU

— TXSH249 (@txsh249) October 28, 2022

Community Impact previously reported the final stretch—Segment 2—totaled $280.1 million.

Segment 2 is the only nontolled portion of the Hwy. 249 extension from the Northpointe area in Tomball to Hwy. 105.

The connecting Segment 1B, from FM 1488 in Magnolia to FM 1774 in Plantersville, opened in March 2021 and is tolled.

In September, the Texas Transportation Commission unanimously voted to pause toll rate price increases set to take effect Jan. 1 on its portion of Hwy. 249, which spans from FM 1774 in Pinehurst to FM 1774 in Todd Mission.