SUGAR LAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--County officials recently celebrated the opening of overpasses along Segment D of the Grand Parkway, allowing uninterrupted travel between U.S. Hwy 59/Interstate 69 to Interstate 10. This much-anticipated non-stop arterial road is part of a larger series of mobility enhancements serving one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States.
Voters in Fort Bend have authorized more than $400 million in road bonds since 2000, resulting in more than 1,624 lane miles constructed, enough to drive from Fort Bend County, Texas to Los Angeles, Calif. In addition to these projects, significant portions of U.S. Hwy 59 in Fort Bend are being upgraded to become Interstate 69, and more than a dozen other road sections are underway or finishing during 2014. Interstate 69, the so-called NAFTA Super Highway connecting Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, joins rail, air and sea to position Fort Bend as a crucial national and international transportation hub.
Most recently, the opening of optional toll overpasses on Segment D of the Grand Parkway means shorter commutes for drivers, with an estimated travel time of 15 minutes using the new toll overpasses. According to county leaders, these enhancements to Segment D will significantly improve mobility and connectivity for communities within and outside of Fort Bend County.
“The Grand Parkway has been a fixture in Fort Bend County for nearly two decades and has helped Fort Bend County become one of the fastest-growing parts of Greater Houston,” said Jeff Wiley, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council. “The addition of optional toll overpasses, however, enhances commute times, alleviates congestion and improves quality of life for residents and businesses. A modern road system is essential to keeping Fort Bend County a desirable place in which to do business and live.”
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the agency with primacy over all other segments of the Grand Parkway, completed toll lane construction on Segment E, so now drivers can also travel from the Fort Bend segment north to U.S. Hwy 290 with uninterrupted access. When TxDOT’s work is complete, the Grand Parkway will serve as Houston’s “third outer loop,” traveling through seven counties.
“The economy is growing quickly in Texas and in Fort Bend County, and expanded roads are a necessary improvement to ease mobility congestion for our residents,” said Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert. “We are thankful for the support and hard work of the Grand Parkway Association, Fort Bend Grand Parkway Toll Road Authority, TxDOT and local officials to make this essential project a reality.”
In late 2013, Forbes Magazine ranked Fort Bend the No. 5 fastest-growing county in the nation. Additionally, Fort Bend has maintained the highest percentage increase in employment from March 2012-2013, June 2012-2013, and September 2012-2013 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Road enhancement projects will become increasingly important as the county continues to experience future growth. Updates to current and future projects can be found online.
For additional information about Fort Bend County, visit FortBendCounty.com or call 281-242-0000.
About Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County is located in the Houston metropolitan area of southeast Texas. Its population is among the fastest growing in the United States and has been recognized as being among the most educated and diverse counties in the nation. Fort Bend County has a population of more than 625,000 residents and according to the 2010 U.S. Census, the County ranks 1st for growth out of the ten largest counties in Texas. Fort Bend’s vibrant economy has also received national recognition: the County leads employment growth in the largest counties in the U.S., according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. For more information about Fort Bend County, including a complete list of recognitions, visit us at www.FortBendCounty.com. Search for Fort Bend County on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
