When the newest section is complete, the Grand Parkway will connect I-69 southwest of Sugar Land, Cinco Ranch and Cypress, unincorporated Harris County and Spring, and Harris, Montgomery, Liberty, and Chambers counties.
Dug Begley reports that 44 miles of the northeast segment of Houston's Grand Parkway is ready to move from the drawing board to construction.
The Texas Transportation Commission on Tuesday chose Grand Parkway Infrastructure – a joint venture of road builders Ferrovial Agroman US, Granite Construction Co. and Webber, LLC – as the team to design and build the upcoming stretch from Interstate 69 near New Caney, also U.S. 59 in the Houston area, to Interstate 10 east of Baytown.
The project was recently scaled back as growth along the route has slowed. Previously the plan called for two toll lanes in each direction. "The project now includes a single lane in each direction, with sections where a second lane in each direction will allow for passing," report Begley. The tollway could still; be expanded if growth and traffic picks up, according to officials.
Begley also reports on that other critical concern: how much the tollway will cost drivers to drive. The entire new 44-mile section will cost $10.17 to drive when it opens in Spring 2022. That might seem like a high price, but the already constructed sections of the Grand Parkway tollway handled 10.1 million transactions in the most recent month with available data, so the price has yet to scare away demand.
Make sure to click through the slideshow at the top of the article to check out graphics created by the Houston Chronicle to give perspective on the size of the loop created by the Grand Parkway: the Parkway route is superimposed on famous locations like Rome, Italy; Washington, D.C.; and all of Jamaica.
FULL STORY: Texas officials advance next sections of Grand Parkway
Environmental Study Released for $7 Billion Houston Highway Project
The final environmental impact statement for the controversial North Houston Highway Improvement Project is available for public comment, courtesy of the Texas Department of Transportation.
Local Officials Deal With Fallout of State's Decision on Toll Roads
Texas state legislators are holding to a promise not to spend voter-approved transportation funds on new toll roads. Local officials are scrambling.
Texas Would Need $24 Billion to End Highway Tolls
Texas politicians are wondering how much it would cost to remove tolls from hundreds of miles of roads around the state. Though the political cost of tolling is high, the actual cost, it turns out, is higher.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)