Houston: Grand Parkway segment B, construction starts in 2026

[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.