Fort Bend County secures $58.6 million in H-GAC funding for SH 99 frontage road projects

CONTRIBUTED REPORT
Posted 1/16/25

Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales announced January 13 that the county has secured $58.6 million in funding from the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) to advance critical mobility projects along the Grand Parkway (SH 99) in the Cinco Ranch area.

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Fort Bend County secures $58.6 million in H-GAC funding for SH 99 frontage road projects

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Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales announced January 13 that the county has secured $58.6 million in funding from the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) to advance critical mobility projects along the Grand Parkway (SH 99) in the Cinco Ranch area. These investments will enhance mobility, alleviate congestion, and accelerate the construction of voter-approved frontage roads in one of Fort Bend County’s fastest-growing regions, according to the press release from the commissioner’s office.

“First, I wish to thank the leadership of the Houston-Galveston Area Council for their partnership - this funding marks a significant step forward for our community,” said Morales. “When I took the lead on these projects in 2022, my focus was clear: expedite timelines, engage residents on sound wall designs, and position these projects for funding opportunities like this H-GAC allocation. These projects have been championed and helped to this point with the collaboration of many stakeholders, but chief among those are State Representative Jacey Jetton and State Senator Joan Huffman. Because of their commitment and support, we are delivering on our promise to provide relief to commuters and taxpayers who rely on this vital corridor for their daily needs.”

The $58.6 million in funding will support three key road segments, previously approved for design through voter-backed Fort Bend County mobility bond referendums:

· $23.2 million for construction of the SH 99 southbound frontage road from Bay Hill to Cinco Ranch.

· $17.8 million for construction of the SH 99 northbound frontage road from South Fry Road to Westheimer Parkway.

· $17.6 million for construction of the SH 99 southbound frontage road from Westheimer Parkway to South Fry Road.

State Representative Jacey Jetton emphasized the importance of these improvements, saying, “Fort Bend County attracts thousands of new residents each year, drawn by its safety, excellent schools, and affordability. With growth comes increased congestion, especially on SH 99 through Cinco Ranch. Partnering with Commissioner Morales, we prioritized expanding this critical roadway. I’m proud of the progress we’ve achieved together with county and state leaders, including Senator Huffman.”

County Engineer Stacy Slawinski highlighted the strategic role of H-GAC’s Carryover Spend Down Policy: “These funds stem from H-GAC’s policy to utilize leftover transportation dollars efficiently. Since December 2023, the Transportation Policy Council has allocated nearly $1 billion for carryover projects, including $335 million programmed in October 2024 under the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program for initiatives ready by August 2026. This policy allows Fort Bend County to leverage external resources for the SH 99 frontage road projects while reallocating nearly $80 million of county funds to other critical mobility initiatives.”

Construction on the first segment is set to begin in March 2026, with completion anticipated within 18 months. Construction of subsequent projects will start in late 2026 and conclude by the end of 2028. In total, these initiatives will add nearly 10 lane miles of new frontage roads along SH 99, improving traffic flow and safety for residents in Katy and Richmond.

As part of its commitment to regional mobility, Fort Bend County continues to prioritize SH 99 improvements in coordination with TxDOT, according to the press release. Recent enhancements to mobility include additional lanes and direct connectors at the Westpark Tollway.

Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales, Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), Grand Parkway (SH 99), tate Representative Jacey Jetton and State Senator Joan Huffman, Westpark Tollway