The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) wants to widen a 6.73-mile stretch of the Grand Parkway near The Woodlands and add two new direct connectors to I-45.
The proposal, announced by Woodlands Online, would expand State Highway 99 from two main lanes to three in each direction between Springwoods Village Parkway and Townsen Boulevard/Imperial Promenade in Harris and Montgomery counties. The new lanes would be built in the existing median.
The road would remain a tolled facility.
Two new direct connectors would link the Grand Parkway and I-45: one carrying southbound I-45 traffic onto eastbound SH 99, and another moving westbound SH 99 traffic onto northbound I-45. According to the project description, the work aims to manage congestion from increased traffic, based on an agreement between the state and seven counties through which SH 99 passes.
The entire project would be built within existing TxDOT right of way. No homes or businesses would be displaced, according to the project description. The description also notes the work would involve an action in a floodplain, though details on which floodplain and what mitigation is planned have not been released.
No construction timeline or cost estimate appears in the materials posted so far.
The widening corridor runs alongside a fast-growing area. A 170,000-square-foot retail center called Grand Imperial Marketplace, anchored by Sprouts Farmers Market, is planned at Grand Parkway and Imperial Promenade, according to Community Impact. A developer marketing the corridor described nearby master-planned communities including The Falls at Imperial Oaks, Woodson's Reserve and The Highlands as representing about 7,000 homes at planned buildout.
How to weigh in
TxDOT is offering three ways for residents to participate:
- Virtual meeting: A pre-recorded video presentation goes live at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, on TxDOT's project page.
- In-person open house: Thursday, Sept. 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the York Junior High School cafeteria, 3515 Waterbend Cove, Spring. Attendees can view the presentation, review hard copies of project materials, ask questions and submit written comments in any language.
- Written comments: Due by Friday, Oct. 9. Mail to TxDOT Houston District Office, Advanced Project Development, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, TX 77251-1386, or email [email protected].
Residents without internet access can call 713-802-5199 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, to ask questions and access project materials. According to the project notice, responses to public comments will be posted on TxDOT's project page once completed.
