Construction is currently in progress on the initial part of a two-phase widening project for a specific segment of the Grand Parkway. This initiative aims to address traffic congestion in the southern part of Tomball, as reported by the Texas Department of Transportation. The project will extend along the F-2 segment, starting from Hwy. 249 in Tomball and reaching Holzwarth Road in Spring. Commencing in June, the construction work involves widening the roadway from four to six lanes and replacing the grassy median with a concrete barrier.

Enhancing Tomball's Infrastructure with Grand Parkway Widening

Project Overview

The Tomball-area Grand Parkway expansion project is divided into two distinct parts. Currently, work is underway on Segment A, which stretches from Hwy. 249 to Kuykendahl Road. Bambi Hall, the Public Information Officer at TxDOT, stated that this portion of the project is estimated to take 32 months and cost $55.7 million to complete. The second part, Segment B, running from Kuykendahl to Holzwarth roads, is expected to open for contractor bidding on Sept. 1, 2027. This segment is anticipated to take up to 36 months to finish, and the previous cost estimate was $45.94 million. As of now, an updated cost estimate is not available. Both expansion segments are funded by Grand Parkway toll revenue managed by the Grand Parkway Transportation Corp. Since its conception in late 2022, no major changes have been made to the project.There are numerous restaurants, shops, apartments, and other businesses located along the TxDOT's Grand Parkway expansion project. Larreen Hawks, an employee at Hawk's Law Firm near the Grand Parkway and FM 2920, mentioned that the business has not been affected by the construction so far. However, she does not expect the widening of the Grand Parkway's lanes to significantly alleviate traffic. "We've been here for 25 years. They put a [sign] in front of our parking lot, preventing us from turning left. There are a lot of complaints about that, but other than that, no issues," she said.In response to a Facebook post by Community Impact in October, resident Judy Cucchi DeTrude expressed her frustration. She said she never knows what the traffic will be like when using the roadway. "This is a new highway, so I can't understand why no one had the foresight to build more lanes when it was constructed. It would have been cheaper and less disruptive to do it from the start," she wrote.

Project Context

Segment F-2 of the Grand Parkway, which runs from Hwy. 249 to I-45 North, opened to traffic and tolling in February 2016. Hall explained that the roadway initially had four lanes due to the Market Valuation Waiver Agreement signed by TxDOT with Houston's seven counties in 2009. This agreement called for a four-lane, controlled access toll road but included markers for potential future expansion, such as level of service thresholds that are met when a "significant number of vehicles stop at signals," according to TxDOT's 2023 annual report.Over the past eight years, data shows a significant increase in traffic along Segment F-2 of the Grand Parkway. From 2021 to 2023, traffic at the Hwy. 249 intersection increased by 89%, and at the FM 2920 intersection, it rose by 29%. As a result, the roadway is now being expanded to meet the level of service threshold.

Economic Impact

Marlisa Briggs, the President of the North Houston Association, believes that easing congestion along the Grand Parkway will enhance access to businesses in the area and provide land development opportunities for residential projects. "Small businesses are the lifeblood of thriving communities. Independently owned and operated stores and restaurants [along the Grand Parkway]... rely on customers being able to access their places of business," she said.Brandi Beyer also emphasized the importance of surrounding infrastructure, such as roads, for businesses to function efficiently. "Businesses are looking to come to places with good transportation access, and residents moving in are seeking good transportation access," she said. According to prior reporting by Community Impact, over the past 18 months, at least seven businesses have opened along the Grand Parkway between Hwy. 249 and Holzwarth Road.

What to Expect

For Segment A, the work so far has included demolition for widening and drainage. The next project stage, scheduled to begin in mid-to-late 2026, will involve widening the roadway and bridges. Beyer stated, "You can live further away from your job if you can reach it in the same amount of time, even if it's further out. We're all excited about spending less time in traffic."Although expanding a roadway in a dense urban environment presents challenges, TxDOT aims to minimize traffic disruptions. Hall said, "TxDOT and all its contracting partners prioritize safety every day to work effectively and expeditiously."Carson Weaver contributed to this report.

Panama City, Florida is witnessing a significant transformation with the commencement of Phase II of the Downtown Streetscape project in September. This has led to the closure of Harrison Avenue from 4th Street to 5th Street, yet the stores remain open, and business owners are relying on local shoppers during this weekend.

Small Business Saturday: A Day to Support Local Retailers

Since 2011, the U.S. Small Business Association has sponsored Small Business Saturday. On this special day, consumers are motivated to shop small and give their support to local retailers. In Downtown Panama City, local businesses are hopeful that the construction won't deter shoppers. 1: Lesli Todd, the owner of Jute & Palm, expressed excitement as Small Business Saturday is their biggest day of the year. She emphasized the importance of people coming downtown to shop with the local small business owners in historic downtown. 2: Main Street Antiques owner Liane Harding also highlighted that all the businesses downtown are open, even with the road closure for the Streetscape. The sidewalks remain accessible, and they have even put a walkway between both sides of the road for easy crossing to other shops.

Competing with Large Vendors

It is undeniable that local businesses face competition from large vendors like Amazon. However, there are unique things in historic downtown that can't be found on Amazon. Todd pointed out that people should shop local and support those who live in their community. 1: Harding added that it is easy to order online with a phone, but these small businesses depend on people coming in to shop. Especially during the holiday period when a good portion of their annual sales is made. 2: Shopping local keeps the dollars and cents within Bay County. Harding explained that all the money spent here goes back into the community as they spend it locally.

Small Business Saturday Market

In addition to the shops downtown, a Small Business Saturday Market will take place at 2440 St. Andrew's Avenue at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. This provides an extra opportunity for shoppers to explore and support local businesses. 1: The market offers a diverse range of products and experiences, allowing shoppers to discover new and unique items. 2: It is a great way to celebrate Small Business Saturday and connect with the local community while shopping for holiday gifts or just for fun.