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According to a Houston Chronicle article from this past weekend, “Grand Parkway work may end up in state’s hands“, there is a chance that construction on Section E of the Grand Parkway may start by the end of 2011.
Harris County took control of the project about 15 months ago in the belief that the Texas Department of Transportation did not have the money to build it, and that the county could come to an agreement with the state over how toll collections would be used.
Things have changed since then. First, County Judge Ed Emmett said, the Texas Transportation Commission has notified him informally that it expects to have $425 million available for the project this year.
I’m not holding my breath that construction will actually start this year. They have been analyzing and designing this segment of the Grand Parkway since I moved out to Cypress in 1999.
If this does happen and is open for business by 2013 like is proposed, the biggest benefit for Cypress is the potential economic expansion that would occur. For example, at the core of Bridgeland’s master plan is their Town Center. From the “Amenities” section of the Bridgeland site:
The heart of Bridgeland will offer a destination for world class shopping, dining, commerce, urban living, entertainment and employment. Located along the future path of the Grand Parkway and Central Creek Corridor, Bridgeland Town Center will be a thriving downtown environment encompassing over 800 acres. Check back often to see this exciting project develop.
If the Grand Parkway is delayed another 10 years, Bridgeland will have to rethink their master plan.
The other obvious benefit will be direct access between Cypress and Katy. You currently get to Katy via a major road with a lot of lights (Hwy 6 or Barker Cypress or Fry) or you drive down to the Beltway over to I-10. This will also give Cypress residents another option for their downtown commute to go south on the Grand Parkway and take I-10 into downtown.
Objections to building this segment of the Grand Parkway include:
