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The westbound direct connectors from the Grand Parkway to southbound Texas 249 opened the weekend of July 16, 2022.

The eastbound direct connectors from the Grand Parkway to southbound Texas 249 opened the weekend of July 16, 2022.

A project to build four direct connectors connecting the Tomball Tollway to the Grand Parkway began in March 2020. The east- and westbound direct connectors from the Grand Parkway to southbound Texas 249 opened to the public the weekend of July 16, 2022. The Harris County Toll Road Authority anticipates construction on the remaining two connectors to be completed in late fall of 2022.

A project to build four direct connectors connecting the Tomball Tollway to the Grand Parkway began in March 2020. The east- and westbound direct connectors from the Grand Parkway to southbound Texas 249 opened to the public the weekend of July 16, 2022. The Harris County Toll Road Authority anticipates construction on the remaining two connectors to be completed in late fall of 2022.

When the six-mile, all-electronic Tomball Tollway originally opened in April 2015, it consisted of three toll lanes in each direction between Spring Cypress Road and FM 2920.

With explosive growth in the area since then, a $92 million project to build four direct connectors connecting the Tomball Tollway, also called Texas State Highway 249, to the Grand Parkway, or Texas Highway 99, began in March 2020. The east- and westbound direct connectors from the Grand Parkway to southbound Texas 249 opened to the public the weekend of July 16.

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Construction continues on the remaining two direct connectors, northbound Texas 249 to east- and westbound Grand Parkway. Total closure of the tollway’s southbound main lanes from the Grand Parkway exit ramp to Northpointe Boulevard began on July 30 at 9 p.m. and will last through 5 a.m. on Aug. 6. Drivers are being detoured to the frontage road at the Grand Parkway exit ramp and able to re-enter the tollway using the Northpointe entrance ramp.

Williams Brothers Construction Co. is using state-of-the-art technologies and construction methods new to the area to complete the project. Unlike previous similar additions, curved concrete girders are being used in lieu of steel girders.

The Harris County Toll Road Authority anticipates construction on the remaining two connectors to be completed in late fall.

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“The project, originally scheduled for completion in June 2022, was delayed as a result of several unforeseen issues,” said Roxy Sibrian, assistant director of communications, HCTRA. “The COVID pandemic lead to labor shortages. Material and supply chain issues have also been an ongoing challenge. The freeze of 2021 disrupted cement production in Texas, which in turn impacted this project,” she added.

Enthusiasm for the project is evidenced by those who live and work in the area, according to Bruce Hillegeist, the president of the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce. 

“The direct connectors are a very good thing for Tomball. Although inconvenient as they are being built, they will provide great value once the project is finished,” he said.

The addition of direct connectors was originally suggested when the Grand Parkway and Texas 249 expansion were being built, Hillegeist said. Four years ago, the chamber was told that a minimum of 15,000 vehicles a day per direct connector would be needed to warrant their construction. 

“Well, just a few years later, we are getting our direct connectors,” he said.

“The Texas Department of Transportation and the Harris County Toll Road Authority know best—but as a Chamber, we are always looking out for better and best mobility infrastructure allowing quick, convenient access to and from—for businesses and residents. Highway 249 (at) Highway 99 is quickly becoming valuable for businesses needing to get their products and goods distributed in a timely manner—the direct connectors will help keep traffic flowing,” he added.

Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q has seen a slight increase in night sales since more traffic comes as a result of the direct connectors by commuters on their way home in the evenings, said Jon Mendoza, managing partner and general manager. 

“During construction we did take a slight decline in sales due to traffic and people avoiding the area; however, in the long term it will not only be beneficial for our commuters, but it will give the area a better opportunity to grow other businesses, which in turn will bring more folks our way. In a community like Tomball, if one grows, we all grow,” said Mendoza.

Shoppers will also more easily reach the Tomball Marketplace Shopping Center, a new development located near this major Tomball intersection, which serves as a regional retail hub for both Tomball and Montgomery County. Major retailers include Target, Lowes, Kroger, Petsmart, Office Depot, Kohl’s, Bootbarn and H-E-B.

Earlier this year in February, Macy’s, Inc. announced plans to expand its operations from its current Houston distribution center into a modern 900,000-square-foot facility in a 240-acre development of Highway 249 and Rocky Road, directly south of the Grand Parkway direct connectors, according to Kelly Violette, executive director for the Tomball Economic Development Corporation. 

“United Kingdom-based JDR Cable Systems, a subsea power cable company, opened its United States headquarters in the Tomball Business & Technology Park, and Paradigm Brewing began operations at its 10,500 square-foot brewery there, as well,” said Violette.

“The direct connectors will help make it safer and easier for companies to move people and products. Businesses consistently reference Tomball’s convenient location when deciding to locate here,” she added.

Harris County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, with over 30 percent growth since 2000 alone. As the population has exploded in the vast unincorporated areas, so has traffic. The city of Tomball’s population increased by 4 percent between April 1, 2020 and July 1, 2021, according to census.gov.

While construction continues, drivers are encouraged to visit houstontranstar.org to plan their routes for ease of traveling through Tomball.

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By Dug Begley, Sam González Kelly