Ask 2: Will tolls continue to be waived when businesses start offering retail to-go this week?

HOUSTONUPDATE: Even though businesses will slowly start opening back up this week, tolls will continue to be waived through the duration of the Harris County Judge’s declaration of a local disaster. Harris County Toll Road Authority has temporarily waived tolls on all Harris County toll roads for the duration of the Stay Home-Work Safe order in place as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

To assist those who still need to travel during the Harris County Stay Home-Work Safe order, the Commissioners Court ordered tolls to be waived on Harris County toll roads through April 30, when the stay-at-home order expires.

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But that doesn’t mean that all tolls will be waived across the county. There are exceptions.

HCTRA-managed toll roads will be free through April 3.

Only toll roads managed by the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) will be toll-free through April 30. Tolls on roads managed by the other regional toll road operators remain enforced.

Within Harris County, the notable exception to the waiver is the Grand Parkway. It is managed by TxDot.

Toll roads in Fort Bend County are managed by the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority (FBCTRA). In Harris County, HOT lanes on IH 45, US 290 and US 59 are all operated by METRO. These, too, are not included in the waiver.

There are multiple agencies responsible for managing toll roads around Metro Houston. Map courtesy of HCTRA

About the Authors:

Meteorologist, runner, triathlete and proud Houstonian.