HOUSTON – The new section of the Grand Parkway opened earlier than planned.
The Texas Department of Transportation tweeted Thursday the highway was scheduled to open at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday.
New segment #SH99 (US 290-IH 45) crews prepping roadway for opening. Process starting today. Rd to open to traffic effective 5a Sat. (2/6).
— TxDOT- HOU District (@TxDOTHouston) February 5, 2016
Ahead of schedule and ready to roll, the newest section of the Grand Parkway is open for business. The portion of the north-south tollway wasn't scheduled for service until 5 a.m. Saturday, but TxDOT gave the thumbs-up around 7 Friday evening.
From all the folks we talked to, drivers couldn't be happier.
"For oil and gas guys I know we appreciate it," says Cypress resident Jeremy Ourso. "I've been waiting on it. I've been out in Cypress for about four years now and I'm anticipating (using) it a lot.
The new 24-mile section actually comprises two segments, extending the roadway from U.S. 290 to I-45. The impact of this stretch not only will be mainly felt by drivers in the northwest section of town, but also by businesses.
"Big impacts on sales and just customer service," says Reginald Bowie, manager of a Buffalo Wild Wings in Spring, just over a mile from State Road 99 and Kuykendahl. Managers believe the new access will bring new customers.
"This is a pretty good location as it is already," says Bowie. "So with them adding 99, it's just a straight shot coming here now. It's going to add more to this one and to other locations."
Segments F1 & F2 are the newest section. Segment G, which will extend the Parkway from I-45 to Highway 59, is expected to be completed in April.