Houston: Grand Parkway segment B-1, construction starts in 2027

[thisdj78]

This presentation shows plans for the interchange at I-45 and SH 99 (Grand Parkway) section B.

TxDOT is also soliciting a consultant to prepare plans to widen the northeast section (from I69N to I10E, segments H, I-1 and I-2) to be entirely 2x2. The northeast section has long sections with only two lanes (1x1), which is an interim phase (see page 28). The expansion to the next phase (2x2) is happening quickly. The ultimate design is 3x3. The presentation says "maintain divided median for future expansion".

Interesting. I'm in the I-45/646 area once a month and I noticed that they just tore this building down....wonder if that is part of ROW prep. But oddly enough, they just built the Take 5 oil change place just to the west a few years ago which I thought was odd knowing that Segment B was imminent:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xWkN7rmLwt8Ed5h3A?g_st=ic

[MaxConcrete]

On Tuesday the TxDOT Commission authorized starting the process to solicit design-build proposals. See agenda item 6 in the video

As usual with design-build contracts, the process proceeds at a glacial pace. Contract award is scheduled for July 2026, and construction completion is scheduled for 2031. I don't know why construction should take 5 years. Most of this project is greenfield, which is the easiest and fastest for construction.

Also, this month's right-of-way eminent domain includes properties along FM 646 near I-45.

Length: 15 miles
Cost estimate: $1.94 billion, not including the connection ramps at I-45, which is a separate project
Issue request for proposals: January 2025
Final request for proposals: July 2025
Proposals due: January 2026
Contract award: Summer 2026
Construction completion: 2031

[MaxConcrete]

On Thursday the TxDOT commission authorized TxDOT to receive proposals for Grand Parkway segment B-1 and the work on adjacent sections of SH 35 around Alvin.

Presentation
Video, see item 6.

• 15 miles total
• 5.9 miles of non-tolled improvements on SH 35
• Cost estimate is $1.94 billion

Three bidders are shortlisted to submit proposals

• Ferrovial Construction and Webber
• Fluor Enterprises
• Williams Brothers

Williams Brothers is doing all the work in progress on the adjacent section of I-45, so it seems ideal for them since they are already mobilized in the area and can shift resources to this project as the I-45 work is completed.

As usual, the schedule for design-build is very long

• Receive proposals: January 2026
• Select winning bid: Spring 2026
• Contract: summer 2026
• Complete work: 2031

This project has nothing fancy or complicated. It is mostly a standard highway across greenfield. Webber gets jobs done very quickly, so I think they can complete it much faster than 5 years shown in the schedule.

[Chris]

The design phase is probably over a year. Maybe the soils in this area aren't very favorable?

A contract without the 'design' component is less visible to us who track road projects. It's developed in house or by consulting firms, before being submitted to bid.

The bidding process on design-build contracts, as well as the bidding cost, is also often longer due to the higher risk assumed by the design-build team. Instead of pricing every single item, the final design dictates the construction price, which is less certain.

Another issue is construction cost inflation, by the time the design is finalized, the cost estimate could be out of date. Contractors aren't always happy to assume that risk, or price that risk accordingly. Especially in tight markets.

[Plutonic Panda]

Construction is now slated to begin in 2027:

https://communityimpact.com/houston/bay-area/transportation/2025/12/16/grand-parkway-makes-its-way-toward-league-city/?fbclid=IwdGRleAOxSBFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeFQQdc8QRJeAG2rUsCa4qcwnlCb24k_es7ERrAkmz6xRdisFTTCMka4Cg1OU_aem_oK_0Kj9IuLw4Ys_MeobAkQ&utm_campaign=mrf-facebook-impactnewsHTXmetro&mrfcid=202512176942e844153f210a37347d8d

[The Ghostbuster]

With construction on segment B commencing, they should also work to eventually get segment C constructed as well. Segment A is probably permanently dead, since it runs through too much development to ever be constructed.

[MaxConcrete]

With construction on segment B commencing, they should also work to eventually get segment C constructed as well. Segment A is probably permanently dead, since it runs through too much development to ever be constructed.

The problem with segment C is that Fort Bend County has "primacy", i.e. first right to be the project owner. Galveston and Brazoria Counties waived their primacy to allow TxDOT to handle segment B.

However, the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority doesn't have the financial strength to build Grand Parkway, which will cost at least $2 billion in Fort Bend County. (There is also a large section of segment C in Brazoria County.) FBCTRA has its plate full with the Westpark Tollway and Fort Bend County Toll Road, and also the Grand Parkway segment D which still is missing main lanes. Realistically, I don't think FBCTRA can even afford the projects separate from the Grand Parkway.

Fort Bend County wants to control the alignment, which is probably why they are unwilling to waive primacy. But I just don't see segment C getting done within the next 20 years if Fort Bend County stays in control. For TxDOT to take over the project, there's probably going to need to be some political pressure applied at a high level, for example the legislature passing legislation to force Fort Bend County to start within 5 years or waive primacy.

As for Segment A, I agree, it's probably not going to happen. I recently drove the FM 646 corridor, and I think it is still possible to get the Grand Parkway through on FM 646 with some large ROW clearance expenses, but with each passing year the feasibility dwindles, and at some point in the near future it will become impossible.

The only way for Segment A to move forward is for a powerful political advocate to push it forward. I don't recall ever hearing/reading any entity expressing support for Segment A. More likely, it's possible there is someone or some entity blocking it.

[thisdj78]

Looks like they are prepping the ROW. South of 646 @ I-45, they have closed down the gas station and the Take 5 oil change place (which I feel like they just opened a few years ago and I thought that was odd considering the Segment B plans).

[MaxConcrete]

Looks like they are prepping the ROW. South of 646 @ I-45, they have closed down the gas station and the Take 5 oil change place (which I feel like they just opened a few years ago and I thought that was odd considering the Segment B plans).

The gas station with convenience store is gone. The oil change service garage remains intact for now (visible in the background).

Photo date: 2025-11-27


Photo date: 2026-02-06

[MaxConcrete]

The recommended contractor for the design-build contract for section B1 was announced today. Presentation

Grand Parkway section B1
Estimated cost: $1.96 billion
Scheduled completion: end of 2031
Recommended proposal: Ferrovial Construction - Webber 99
Proposal Cost: $1.467 billion, 25.2% below estimate

This is double good news, both the low price and Webber being the winner. Webber normally completes projects well ahead of schedule.

My expectation was that Williams Brothers would win, because they currently have multiple projects in progress along the adjacent section of I-45, and could easily shift resources. Now I'm thinking that Williams is planning to focus resources on NHHIP, which will have contracts awarded in 2027 and 2028 with total value in the $2-3 billion range. Williams is the contractor for the first large NNHIP project, currently underway.

For Grand Parkway B-1, there will be another contract for direct connectors at I-45.

[CoreySamson]

I'm moving back to the Houston area after I graduate in a couple days, so I will have a front row seat on this! Will keep y'all posted.