SH 249 Project - History

The SH 249 project would be a Priority Corridor of the Texas Trunk System connecting Houston to Waco. The project would connect with SH 249 (being developed out of the Houston District) from south of FM 1774, near Plantersville, to SH 6 south of Navasota in Grimes County.

The Texas Trunk System improvements began in 1990 to help ease congestion on the interstate system. The Trunk System calls for some north-south U.S. highways to serve as alternate routes for commercial and private traffic through the corridor.

The concept for the project has been considered for many years.

1988 - Corridor Study Authorized

The Texas Transportation Commission authorized TxDOT to conduct a feasibility study of the general corridor between Bryan/College Station and northwest Houston.

1990 - Feasibility Study Completed

The study recommended that a four-lane, freeway-type highway be constructed, including the portion through southern Grimes County.

1991 - 1997

Due to other funding priorities, the project was not actively developed.

1998 - Phase I Corridor Established from Houston to Waco

The corridor was authorized for preliminary development as a Phase I Corridor of the Texas Trunk System (Houston to Waco). Public comments were sought on a detailed route study from the Todd Mission area to Navasota.

Sept. 8, 1998 - First Public Meeting Held

Local TxDOT staff introduced a project to develop a four-lane, rural highway from SH 6 south of Navasota to the Todd Mission area. No routes were presented. More than 200 attendees met with TxDOT to discuss concerns, suggest routes and describe constraints within the corridor.

Jan. 28, 1999 - Second Public Meeting Held

Local TxDOT staff presented multiple alternatives based on the information gained from the first public meeting. Options included a combination of routes, new location and portions paralleling existing roadways.

May 1999 - Grimes County Officials Notified

Grimes County officials were notified that the preferred route for the SH 249 corridor would follow the existing roadway corridors in the area, where possible. This route would maximize the roadways effectiveness by carrying traffic from the Northwest Houston area, as well as traffic traveling from the I-45/Conroe area. The planned SH 249 corridor would provide both needed transportation links without constructing two separate facilities.

July 24, 2001 - Third Public Meeting Held

Local TxDOT staff presented previously selected route alternatives within the corridor. Options included several alignments near Plantersville, the Stoneham community and the new interchange with SH 6.

August 9, 2002 - Value Engineering Study Conducted

Local TxDOT staff conducted a value engineering study to aid in planning the best possible facility.

2003 - 2005

Due to the uncertainty of construction funding, project development was delayed in 2003 and 2004 as project priorities were reevaluated. In early 2005, the SH 249 project is included in the state?s construction funding forecast and again considered for further development.

October 25, 2005 - Fourth Public Meeting Held

Local TxDOT staff presented the preferred alignment for SH 249 to the public for review and comment. Community concerns prompted staff to again evaluate the best alignment in the Stoneham community and the interchange location at SH 6, south of Navasota. As required by the Texas Transportation Commission, TxDOT also informed the public and local elected officials of the opportunity to develop SH 249 as a toll road. TxDOT staff discussed the tolling process and the potential benefits to the local community, if tolling were approved by Grimes County officials.

October 2, 2007 - Fifth Public Meeting Held

Local TxDOT staff presented the preferred route of SH 249, which is to run north of High Point Elementary in Stoneham. Prior public input prompted the change from the previous alignment, which ran along SH 105 and through the Stoneham community.

As required by the Texas Transportation Commission, TxDOT once again informed the public and local elected officials of the opportunity to develop SH 249 as a toll road.