Plans to expand Highway 249 confirmed

Three toll lanes in each direction to be added

HOUSTON – Harris County commissioners confirmed plans to expand State Highway 249 by adding toll lanes.

The SH 249 (Tomball Tollway) project will provide three toll lanes in each direction to the existing highway. The current frontage roads will remain in place and will remain free.

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The county commissioner's office proposed two phases of construction: Phase I will be developing and constructing three toll lanes in each direction from just north of Spring Cypress Road to north of the Tomball Bypass; Phase II will extend the toll lanes north of the bypass to the Harris County line at Spring Creek and points beyond in Montgomery County.

Officials said the expansion project will require partnership with Montgomery County to ensure success.

"The old idea was that we wanted to create boundaries and not do business with Montgomery County," said Jack Cagle, Precinct 4 Commissioner.  "It is not a zero sum game.  When they prosper and we prosper, we're all happy."

Schematic designs have been completed for the portion that lies within Harris County.  The construction of Phase I is expected to start in the fall of 2013 and should be completed within a year.

The estimated cost of the project is $335 million.