The Texas Department of Transportation is preparing to build the next segment of the Grand Parkway, a 14-mile stretch of State Highway 99 that will create a vital new link in the loop’s southeast arc around Houston, according to a July 2 story published by the agency.
Segment B-1 will extend from FM 626 in Galveston County to south of FM 2403 in Brazoria County. TxDOT said the project will help improve mobility, reduce congestion and enhance safety in one of the fastest-growing parts of Texas. The 184-mile Grand Parkway loop is made up of segments in various phases of planning and development, and the agency said the system helps connect communities, ease congestion and support long-term growth by letting drivers reach Houston-area destinations without using major corridors through the city.
“This Grand Parkway project represents a significant investment in the future of the Houston region,” said TxDOT Houston District Engineer Glenn Allbritton in the story. “By improving traffic flow, increasing connectivity, and enhancing safety for motorists, we are continuing the progress of this major corridor that will better serve residents, businesses, and visitors for years to come.”
The project includes 14 miles of new SH 99 mainlanes with two lanes in each direction, along with discontinuous frontage roads and grade-separated interchanges for local connectivity, according to the agency. Plans also call for direct connectors linking drivers to SH 35 and Interstate 45 to enhance regional connectivity, plus nearly six miles of non-tolled operational improvements to SH 35 north of SH 99.
The Texas Transportation Commission recently authorized the project to move forward with engaging a design-build contractor, a step the agency described as an important milestone as planning continues. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with completion expected by 2032.
The long-term goal is to improve how people and goods move through one of the fastest-growing regions of the state, the agency said. For Houstonians familiar with the saying that “Houston is just an hour away from Houston,” TxDOT said the expanding Grand Parkway aims to help put an end to that adage.