With less than two years remaining until the completion of the 38 miles of the Grand Parkway from Hwy. 290 to Hwy. 59, construction is well underway at I-45 and other existing major thoroughfares.

Linda Merritt, public information officer for the Zachry-Odebrecht partnership, which is constructing Segments F-1, F-2 and G of the Grand Parkway, said construction at the I-45 interchange began in July of last year. Merritt said the intersection would feature three layers, with I-45 at the bottom, two eastbound and westbound frontage roads in the middle and the four main lanes of Hwy. 99 on top.

The interchange will feature two direct connectors—from southbound on I-45 to westbound on Hwy. 99 and from eastbound on Hwy. 99 to northbound on I-45—that are planned for completion by the end of 2015, Merritt said.

Precinct 3 County Commissioner James Noack said he spoke with TxDOT about the feasibility of a westbound to northbound I-45 connector. Noack said TxDOT found some errors in its initial traffic estimates for the project, and estimates the connector will be required by 2031 rather than 2038, the initial projection. However, TxDOT will not be funding the project as part of the initial phase of construction at Hwy. 99 and I-45.

“They are looking at putting in a sweeping turn lane on the frontage road so [traffic] wouldn’t have to stop,” he said.

It is unknown when beams will be placed over I-45 main lanes, however Merritt said that portion of the project would be completed between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. to avoid peak traffic times. There has already been some reduction of main lanes at night and some frontage road closures, she said.

“Especially at I-45—which is a major artery—it is absolutely a goal [to have] as little impact to traffic as possible,” Merritt said. “While there will be some reduction of lanes, it will take place at night.”

The date for the completion of the I-45 interchange is unknown, but all three segments of the project—F-1 from Hwy. 290 to Hwy. 249, F-2 from Hwy. 249 to _45, and G from I-45 to Hwy. 59—will open concurrently sometime late in 2015, Merritt said. All 38 miles will be an electronically monitored tollway that motorists can pass through using state-issued toll tags. She said the Harris County Tollroad Authority would set the toll rates, which will be consistent with Sam Houston Parkway.

Construction could affect areas along Riley Fuzzel Road. Merritt said Riley Fuzzel will align with Hwy. 99, as the existing road will become the westbound frontage road for the Grand Parkway.

Right-of-way negotiations continue for the project, and no timetable has been finalized for construction in the area, Merrit said.

“Ultimately, there will be a phased schedule to lessen the impact,” she said.

Source: Community Impact News