Rep. Bohac Participates in Ribbon Cutting for Major Northwest Houston Transportation Improvement Project
Houston, TX -- Today, State Representative Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) joined TxDOT officials and elected officials (including northwest Houston representatives Council Member Brenda Stardig and Senator John Whitmire) to cut the ribbon on the new “flyover lane” direct connector which will link inbound 290 at 34th Street with outbound I-10 West near Silber. The lane is scheduled to be open to drivers next week.
“Having represented this area of Houston for over a decade and having participated in numerous community TxDOT meetings regarding the design of this complex and challenging interchange, it is particularly rewarding to take part in the ribbon cutting of this vitally important traffic improvement project,” Rep. Bohac said. “Everyone that has driven in northwest Houston knows that the I-10/610/290 mixing bowl is not only difficult to navigate, but can be dangerous. This new direct connector will mean that you can travel between 290 and I-10 without ever having to put one single tire on Loop 610. Along with other improvements coming online to this interchange, this innovative connector will play a critical role in enhancing safety and improving traffic mobility.”
This 1.4 mile elevated, dedicated lane takes motorists coming inbound from Jersey Village on 290 directly to I-10 westbound towards Katy. The estimated cost of this connector is approximately $25 million, with most of that emanating from the fact that this lane is almost entirely elevated and requires significant steel infrastructure.
This flyover lane, along with an additional one opening in 2016, are part of the Highway 290 Project which, when completed, will extend 38 miles from the Harris/Waller County Line to the 610 Loop. The entire proposed project by TxDOT will cost $4.7 billion and includes a parallel Hempstead Tollway along the Hempstead Highway with additional reserve that can be designated for rail. The interim plan, which stretches from the 610 Loop to the Grand Parkway, will be completed by 2017 at a cost of $1.8 billion.
On November 6, 2012, Representative Dwayne Bohac was re-elected to represent House District 138. He is a small business owner and lifelong District 138 resident. During the 79th Legislative Session, Bohac renamed the stretch of 290 between the 610 Loop and the Harris County Line the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.