Montgomery County commissioners approved an agreement Monday morning with state transportation officials setting the ground work for officials to proceed with extending Texas 249, which they hope to one day connect Houston to Waco.
But for now, efforts are being made to expand Texas 249 by 42 miles to create a direct route to Grimes County. The expansion project is designed to alleviate traffic congestion on corridors and feeder roads that lead into the greater Houston area.
It would also create an additional evacuation route during emergencies and hurricanes.
Texas 249 currently extends about 27 miles from Interstate 45 in northern Harris County to FM 1774 in Pinehurst.
Three separate efforts associated with extending Texas 249 to the north are under various stages in the development process and is estimated to cost $685 million.
Those efforts include the development of Tomball Parkway, the Texas 249 extension, and the Texas 249 study.
– The Tomball Parkway is a two-phase construction project, which extends Texas 249 from Spring-Cypress Road to FM 1774.
– The Texas 249 extension would extend Texas 249 from the Tomball Parkway to FM 1774 north of Todd Mission.
– And the Texas 249 study is focused on furthering extending SH 249 into Grimes County.