The West Houston Archives
Discover the history of West Houston from its many roads
INTRODUCTION
(Above photo: Construction of a freeway overpass support for SH-99 just north of Franz Rd. in Katy, Feb. 2012)
In late 2011, construction crews began clearing the right of way for SH-99 north of Franz Rd., and by February 2012, the land had been cleared all the way to House & Hahl Rd., which zig-zags its way across the Katy prairie into Cypress.
Construction of the US 290/Grand Parkway interchange was also started at the same time, working its way south. In late December 2013, the newly completed E-segment of Grand Parkway was opened to the public, offering free tolls until February 1, 2014 for people wishing to try out the new road.
SEGMENT E
(Above photo: The Grand Parkway interchange at Interstate 10, facing east along I-10, April 2016.)
The Grand Parkway E-segment created a direct link between the towns of Katy and Cypress between Interstate 10 and US Highway 290. Prior to the opening of this segment, the simplest route between the two points was to travel all the way into Beltway 8, or use Highway 6, which could prove to be quite a time consuming task in the peak traffic hours. After the completion of the D-segment in 1994, the Grand Parkway project was put on hiatus until the end of 2011.
By early 2012, the first signs of construction on the new E-segment began to appear at various points crossing the new SH-99 alignment. Due to the large scale of the construction project, I simply selected a few key intersections from which to monitor the progress of the new freeway. I began with the interchange stack at I-10, and also included several more intersections, including Franz, Morton Ranch Rd., Longenbaugh, Stockdick School Rd., FM 529, House & Hahl, and finally the new interchange stack at US 290. In August of 2013 I managed to get my first aerial photographs of the construction progress.
Update***: In late December 2013, the new segment of Grand Parkway was finally opened to the public. I got my first trial of the road on the night of December 21st. I must say, it was quite a satisfying feeling. To finally be allowed to use the road I had spent two years closely watching come to life. I imagine it must be the same feeling a home brewer gets when a long awaited batch of beer is finally ready for consumption, and it turns out perfect.
It seemed like such a short time had elapsed from the day I accidentally stumbled upon the first signs of construction resuming on the northern dead end of the freeway, and the day I got to drive the newly completed road. The scale of the task seemed enourmous, and I wondered how long it would be until I was looking at a finished project. I spent countless off-days and weekends out on location photographing the progress from various intersections, making it my obsession for a good bit of time. Even with the road freshly opened, it is not exactly finished. Many of the exits are still closed, and many portions of the road remain in darkness at night. The street lamps are only in patches along the 14 mile stretch of the E-segment. Coming up on the big interchange with 290 was a bit eerie, like being in the future. Two years ago, I would have been looking at a pitch black pasture. Now I was on a completely new freeway, and it felt like a part of me, because I had watched it grow from a few red flags stuck in the grass to a fully functional concrete freeway. Enjoy the photos of the construction! -John W, January 2014.
JULY 2011
Album 27 Pic 06.jpg : Facing west on I-10 at SH-99 intersection.
Album 27 Pic 07.jpg : Looking north along SH-99 at Mercantile Parkway.
Album 27 Pic 08.jpg : Looking north along SH-99 at Colonial Parkway.
Album 27 Pic 10.jpg : Looking south along SH-99 at Colonial Parkway.
Album 27 Pic 12.jpg : Southeast corner of SH-99 at Colonial Parkway.
Album 27 Pic 16.jpg : SH-99 at Franz Rd., current northern terminus.
FEBRUARY 2012
Feb 2012 012.jpg : Completed exit ramp from I-10 to SH-99 South, looking east.
Feb 2012 013.jpg : Looking north along SH-99 at Mercantile Parkway.
Feb 2012 014.jpg : SH-99 at Franz Rd., right of way cleared & pillars constructed.
Feb 2012 019.jpg : Looking north along SH-99 alignment from Stockdick School Rd. near Beckendorff Rd.
Feb 2012 020.jpg : Looking south along SH-99 alignment from Stockdick School Rd. near Beckendorff Rd.
Feb 2012 022.jpg : Stockdick School Rd. at Beckendorff, with SH-99 in the background.
Feb 2012 026.jpg : SH-99 overpass at FM 529, looking west.
Feb 2012 027.jpg : Looking south along SH-99 alignment from FM 529.
Feb 2012 028.jpg : Looking north along SH-99 alignment from FM 529.
Feb 2012 031.jpg : SH-99 overpass at Longenbaugh Rd., looking east. Longenbaugh comes to a dead end in the distance, and has not yet fully connected with the eastern half.
Feb 2012 032.jpg : Looking south along SH-99 alignment from Longenbaugh Rd.
Feb 2012 033.jpg : Looking north along SH-99 alignment from Longenbaugh Rd.
Feb 2012 035.jpg : Looking southwest from Longenbaugh, what may be northbound frontage rd.
Feb 2012 036.jpg : Looking north along SH-99 northbound frontage rd. at Longenbaugh.
Feb 2012 037.jpg : House & Hahl Rd., looking west from location of future SH-99 alignment.
Feb 2012 039.jpg : House & Hahl Rd., looking south from SH-99 right of way, which has not been cleared in this photo. The Grand Parkway will pass directly overhead.
Feb 2012 041.jpg : House & Hahl Rd., looking east from location of future SH-99 alignment.
Feb 2012 042.jpg : House & Hahl Rd., looking north from SH-99 right of way, which has not been cleared in this photo. The Grand Parkway will pass directly overhead.
Album 20 Pic 21.jpg : 290 at Bauer Rd. looking northwest. Future Grand Parkway interchange.
Album 20 Pic 22.jpg : Bauer Rd., looking towards 290 at site of SH-99 exit ramp.
Album 20 Pic 23.jpg : Building the SH-99 exit ramp, viewed from Bauer Rd.
Album 20 Pic 25.jpg : Building the SH-99 exit ramp, viewed from Bauer Rd.
Album 20 Pic 28.jpg : Looking south from Bauer Rd. at SH-99 exit ramp construction.
Album 20 Pic 58.jpg : 290 eastbound frontage road at Bauer Rd., construction SH-99 exit ramp.
Album 20 Pic 59.jpg : 290 eastbound, temporary freeway entrance to avoid construction.
Album 20 Pic 60.jpg : 290 eastbound, temporary freeway entrance, past Bauer Rd. intersection.
Album 20 Pic 62.jpg : 290 eastbound, constructing SH-99 exit ramp. Houston Premium Outlets can be seen on the far left of the photo.
Album 20 Pic 63.jpg : 290 eastbound, constructing SH-99 exit ramp.
APRIL 2012
Apr 2012 033.jpg: Construction at SH-99 and I-10 as the main lanes of SH-99 are extended.
Apr 2012 034.jpg : SH-99 and I-10 facing west from Cinemark Theater parking lot.
Apr 2012 035.jpg : SH-99 and I-10 facing west/northwest from Cinemark Theater parking lot.
Apr 2012 037.jpg : SH-99 and I-10 construction.
Apr 2012 038.jpg : Facing north along SH-99 frontage road just north of I-10.
Apr 2012 039.jpg : Facing south along SH-99 from Mercantile Parkway.
Apr 2012 040.jpg : Northbound on SH-99 frontage road approaching Franz Rd.
Apr 2012 041.jpg : Forming the support columns for Grand Parkway.
Apr 2012 042.jpg : Facing west along FM 529 where Grand Parkway will cross over.
Apr 2012 043.jpg : The corner of FM 529 and Stockdick School Rd, facing Grand Parkway.
Apr 2012 047.jpg : The Grand Parkway alignment seen from Stockdick School & Beckendorff.
Apr 2012 050.jpg : Grand Parkway construction along Stockdick School Rd. near FM 529.
Apr 2012 052.jpg : Grand Parkway construction at FM 529, facing north.
JUNE 2012
Jun 2012 090.jpg : Grand Parkway overpass at Beckendorff Rd. & Stockdick School Rd.
Jun 2012 092.jpg : Construction progress along Stockdick School Rd.
Jun 2012 093.jpg : Grand Parkway passing over Bear Creek
Jun 2012 094.jpg : Grand Parkway passing over Bear Creek (with Bear Creek sign in view)
Jun 2012 095.jpg : The bridge on Stockdick School Rd. over Bear Creek, SH-99 in background.
Jun 2012 096.jpg : Grand Parkway passing over Bear Creek
Jun 2012 097.jpg : Eastbound on FM 529, approaching Grand Parkway overpass from the west.
Jun 2012 098.jpg : Same direction as previous photo, but closer to overpass.
Jun 2012 100.jpg : Grand Parkway, FM 529, and Stockdick School Rd., facing south.
Jul 2012 163.jpg : Aerial photo of FM 529 at Stockdick School Rd. before any Grand Parkway construction passed through the area (2010).
Jun 2012 101.jpg : Close up view of overpass construction at FM 529
Jun 2012 102.jpg : Standing on FM 529 looking straight up at incomplete SH-99 overpass
Jun 2012 103.jpg : Another view of the incomplete overpass from FM 529
AUGUST 2012
Aug 2012 009.jpg : Construction progress alongside Stockdick School Rd.
Aug 2012 010.jpg : Construction progress alongside Stockdick School Rd.
Aug 2012 011.jpg : Construction progress alongside Stockdick School Rd. near Beckendorff.
Aug 2012 012.jpg : Construction progress alongside Stockdick School Rd. approaching FM 529.
Aug 2012 013.jpg : Grand Parkway overpass at FM 529, viewed from Stockdick School Rd.
Aug 2012 015.jpg : FM 529, traveling east underneath Grand Parkway overpass.
Aug 2012 028.jpg : Stockdick School Rd. at Beckendorff, facing Grand Parkway overpass.
Jul 2012 164.jpg : Stockdick School Rd. at Beckendorff before any construction began. (2010)
Aug 2012 039.jpg : Facing south on a portion of House & Hahl Rd. where Grand Parkway passes across it. An overpass will soon pass over this rural road.
Aug 2012 040.jpg : Grand Parkway progress alongside House & Hahl Rd.
Aug 2012 041.jpg : Facing north along House & Hahl Rd.
Aug 2012 042.jpg : Facing north along House & Hahl Rd.
Aug 2012 043.jpg : Facing south along Grand Parkway at House & Hahl. Rd., at a corner.
Aug 2012 044.jpg : Facing west along House & Hahl Rd. where Grand Parkway passes over.
Aug 2012a 074.jpg : Grand Parkway crossing Longenbaugh, facing east.
Aug 2012a 075.jpg : Facing south along Grand Parkway frontage road (not yet finished) at Longenbaugh.
Aug 2012a 077.jpg : Support column for Grand Parkway being completed at Longenbaugh intersection.
Aug 2012a 079.jpg : Grand Parkway progress at IH-10, facing north from IH-10 frontage road.
SEPTEMBER 2012
Sep 2012a 076.jpg : Grand Parkway progress at IH-10 moving along.
Sep 2012a 077.jpg : Grand Parkway progress at IH-10, facing west from Cinemark parking lot.
Sep 2012a 080.jpg : La Madeleine, Grand Parkway & Mercantile Parkway, with construction in distance.
Sep 2012a 084.jpg : Facing north on House & Hahl Rd. with Grand Parkway forming on the left.
Sep 2012a 085.jpg : The corner of House & Hahl Rd. just inside the Grand Parkway.
Sep 2012a 088.jpg : Further up House & Hahl Rd. looking back (south) from a new connecting road being formed.
Sep 2012a 089.jpg : The new House & Hahl alignment being built, facing west towards the future intersection with Grand Parkway.
Sep 2012a 019.jpg : The Grand Parkway/290 interchange being built. These are support columns for the exit ramp that will carry northbound Grand Parkway traffic onto eastbound 290.
Sep 2012a 020.jpg : Grand Parkway/290 support columns for exit ramps to 290 east.
Sep 2012a 021.jpg : Grand Parkway/290 support column close-up
Sep 2012a 022.jpg : Grand Parkway/290 interchange support columns for exit ramps to 290 east.
DECEMBER 2012
Dec 2012a 001.jpg : First opportunity to stand on the new surface of SH-99 near Stockdick School Rd.
Dec 2012a 002.jpg : Standing on SH-99 road surface near Stockdick School Rd.
Dec 2012a 003.jpg : Standing on SH-99 road surface near Stockdick School Rd.
Dec 2012a 006.jpg : New realigned portion of Stockdick School Rd. facing north near FM 529. The northern tip of the road was repositioned slightly west of the original intersection with FM 529, because the original road was apparently too close to the new frontage road right of way. This process is how most of the abandoned road segments in Houston were created. In time, this closed off segment of road will deteriorate, or be sodded over.
Dec 2012a 007.jpg : SH-99 Grand Parkway overpass at FM 529, facing north from Stockdick School Rd.
FEBRUARY 2013
Feb 2013a 012.jpg : Facing north on House & Hahl Rd. at the site of a realignment. The new direction of House & Hahl cuts west through what used to be a field, and passes beneath Grand Parkway at a completely new intersection. An old segment of the road became a dead end as a result of this improvement.
Feb 2013a 014.jpg : Facing west along the brand new House & Hahl segment, which heads towards Grand Parkway.
Feb 2013a 015.jpg : The newly formed intersection of House & Hahl with Grand Parkway, facing west.
Feb 2013a 016.jpg : Grand Parkway at House & Hahl, facing north/northwest along frontage road. (northbound lanes)
Feb 2013a 017.jpg : Grand Parkway at House & Hahl, facing south along frontage road (northbound lanes)
Feb 2013a 018.jpg : Grand Parkway at House & Hahl, facing west beneath parkway overpass.
Feb 2013a 019.jpg : Grand Parkway at House & Hahl, close up look at overpass during completion.
Feb 2013a 020.jpg : Grand Parkway at House & Hahl, facing south along frontage road (southbound lanes)
Feb 2013a 021.jpg : Facing north on Stockdick School Rd. near FM 529, where part of Stockdick was realigned to the west, leaving this original right of way beside the forming Grand Parkway. The old pavement was recently removed and drainage provisions were installed.
Feb 2013a 024.jpg : Facing north along what used to be the northern end of Stockdick School Rd., now just dirt.
Feb 2013a 025.jpg : New street lamps installed along Grand Parkway alignment beside Stockdick School Rd.
Feb 2013a 026.jpg : New street lamps installed.
Feb 2013a 028.jpg : Facing north along Grand Parkway along Stockdick School Rd. near Beckendorff overpass.
Feb 2013a 029.jpg : Grand Parkway, where Stockdick School Rd. turns from east/west to north/south direction.
Feb 2013a 030.jpg : Grand Parkway, where Stockdick School Rd. turns from east/west to north/south direction.
Feb 2013a 031.jpg : Grand Parkway, facing south from corner of Stockdick School Rd.
Feb 2013a 032.jpg : The "corner" of Stockdick School Rd. where it changes direction near the Grand Parkway path.
Feb 2013a 159.jpg : Grand Parkway overpass at Longenbaugh, facing east.
Feb 2013a 163.jpg : Grand Parkway overpass at Longenbaugh, facing east (zoom in)
Feb 2013a 160.jpg : Grand Parkway overpass at Longenbaugh, facing north
Feb 2013a 161.jpg : Grand Parkway overpass at Longenbaugh, facing south
Feb 2013a 164.jpg : Facing west on Longenbaugh with Grand Parkway behind me.
Feb 2013a 147.jpg : Northbound on Grand Parkway D-segment approaching I-10, where the Grand Parkway main lanes currently end for traffic.
Feb 2013a 148.jpg : Northbound Grand Parkway frontage road approaching I-10 intersection.
Feb 2013a 149.jpg : Northbound Grand Parkway frontage road approaching I-10 intersection.
Feb 2013a 151.jpg : The flyover ramps at Grand Parkway and I-10, seen from the Cinemark parking lot.
Feb 2013a 152.jpg : The flyover ramps at Grand Parkway and I-10, seen from the Cinemark parking lot.
Feb 2013a 153.jpg : The flyover ramps at Grand Parkway and I-10, seen from the Cinemark parking lot.
Feb 2013a 154.jpg : The flyover ramps at Grand Parkway and I-10, seen from the Cinemark parking lot.
Feb 2013a 155.jpg : Grand Parkway at Mercantile Parkway, facing south along northbound frontage road.
Feb 2013a 156.jpg : Northbound on Grand Parkway frontage road approaching Colonial Parkway.
Feb 2013a 157.jpg : Northbound on Grand Parkway frontage road, turning left onto Franz Rd. (end of frtg road)
Feb 2013a 158.jpg : Facing south along Grand Parkway frontage road (southbound lanes) from Franz Rd.
JUNE 2013
Jun 2013a 037.jpg : Facing east at Grand Parkway from Stockdick School Rd. & Beckendorff.
Jun 2013a 038.jpg : Facing southeast from Stockdick School Rd. & Beckendorff.
Jun 2013a 040.jpg : Facing south along Stockdick School Rd. from Beckendorff.
Jun 2013a 014.jpg : Facing north along Stockdick School Rd., south of Beckendorff.
Jun 2013a 017.jpg : New mounting posts for freeway signage that will soon adorn Grand Parkway.
Jun 2013a 021.jpg : Facing north along Stockdick School Rd. with Grand Parkway on the right.
Jun 2013a 022.jpg : Grand Parkway crossing over Clay Rd., facing north while driving on Clay Rd.
Jun 2013a 023.jpg : Grand Parkway crossing over Clay Rd., facing north, on other side of the freeway.
Jun 2013a 025.jpg : Grand Parkway between Franz Rd. and the I-10 interchange, facing south along frontage road.
Jun 2013a 033.jpg : Grand Parkway frontage road at Franz, facing north. The road is still closed off.
Jun 2013a 034.jpg : Facing south along frontage road from Franz Rd. towards I-10.
Jun 2013a 029.jpg : Grand Parkway at Colonial Parkway, facing west along Colonial Parkway.
Jun 2013a 030.jpg : At Colonial Parkway, facing south along frontage roads towards I-10.
Jun 2013a 031.jpg : At Colonial Parkway, facing north along frontage roads towards Franz Rd.
Jun 2013a 026.jpg : The Grand Parkway/I-10 interchange, with new flyover ramps nearing completion.
Jun 2013a 027.jpg : Another shot of the flyover ramps, facing more southwest.
Jun 2013a 028.jpg : Another shot of the flyover ramps, facing north along the beginning of segment E.
AUGUST 2013
Aug 2013a 100.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and I-10 interchange being built.
Aug 2013a 101.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and I-10, facing north.
Aug 2013a 102.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and I-10.
Aug 2013a 104.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and I-10, facing east along I-10. (Note Cinemark theater)
Aug 2013a 105.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and Colonial Parkway near I-10, facing east.
Aug 2013a 106.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and Morton Ranch Rd., flying north along Grand Parkway.
Aug 2013a 107.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and Clay Rd.
Aug 2013a 108.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway at Stockdick School Rd.
Aug 2013a 109.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and FM 529, approaching from the south. Notice the S-curve on FM 529 as it cuts through undeveloped foliage.
Aug 2013a 111.jpg : Another aerial view of Grand Parkway at FM 529, facing more southeast.
Aug 2013a 112.jpg : A view out the windshield of the aircraft heading north along Grand Parkway alignment. This is somewhere between FM 529 and House & Hahl Rd.
Aug 2013a 114.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway at future Tuckerton Rd. intersection. At this time, Tuckerton only extended as far west as Fry Rd., which can be seen in the far distance, but the intersection with Grand Parkway was already planned for and built.
Aug 2013a 116.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway at the now modified House & Hahl Rd. intersection.
Aug 2013a 117.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and future intersection of Bridgeland Lake Parkway, which has also not been extended yet.
Aug 2013a 119.jpg : Heading north along Grand Parkway alignment approaching US 290 intersection.
Aug 2013a 120.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and US 290 intersection.
Aug 2013a 121.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and US 290 intersection, closer zoom in.
Aug 2013a 122.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway, facing back south from US 290 intersection.
Aug 2013a 123.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and US 290 intersection.
Aug 2013a 125.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and US 290 intersection.
Aug 2013a 151.JPG : Grand Parkway and House & Hahl Rd., facing north.
Aug 2013a 152.JPG : Grand Parkway and House & Hahl Rd., facing north.
Aug 2013a 153.JPG : Grand Parkway and House & Hahl Rd., facing south.
Aug 2013a 155.JPG : Facing west along House & Hahl Rd. (two lanes wide) near Grand Parkway.
OCTOBER 2013
Oct 2013a 003.jpg : Facing north along frontage road from Colonial Parkway, near I-10.
Oct 2013a 004.jpg : Facing east along Colonial Parkway beneath Grand Parkway overpass.
Oct 2013a 006.jpg : Grand Parkway at Mercantile Parkway, on the southbound frontage road.
Oct 2013a 011.jpg : A ground view of the flyover ramps just north of I-10.
Oct 2013a 053.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway at future intersection of Tuckerton Rd.
NOVEMBER 2013
Nov 2013 040.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway and House & Hahl Rd. area, facing northwest.
Nov 2013 042.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway at FM 529, facing west along FM 529.
Nov 2013 043.jpg : Aerial view of Grand Parkway at Clay Rd., facing west along Clay.
FEBRUARY 2014
Feb 2014a 026.JPG : Grand Parkway at Longenbaugh Rd., facing east along Longenbaugh
Feb 2014a 027.JPG : Grand Parkway at Longenbaugh Rd., facing south along parkway.
Feb 2014a 028.JPG : Grand Parkway at Longenbaugh Rd., facing north along parkway.
Feb 2014a 029.JPG : Grand Parkway at Longenbaugh Rd., close-up of architecture.
Feb 2014a 031.JPG : Grand Parkway at Longenbaugh Rd., close-up of architecture.
Feb 2014a 032.JPG : Grand Parkway at Longenbaugh Rd., close-up of architecture.
Feb 2014a 030.JPG : Facing Longenbaugh Rd. (just a two lane road) from Grand Parkway overpass.
Feb 2014a 033.JPG : This is what happens to Longenbaugh just inside the Grand Parkway. It turns 90 degrees to the north and then just becomes a dirt trail with some old structure on the right.
NOVEMBER 2014
Nov 2014a 097.JPG : Grand Parkway at Clay Rd., facing west along Clay.
Nov 2014a 098.JPG : Grand Parkway at Clay Rd., facing west/southwest along Clay.
Nov 2014a 099.JPG : Grand Parkway at Clay Rd., facing west along Clay.
Nov 2014a 100.JPG : Grand Parkway at Clay Rd., facing north along the on-ramp to the parkway.
Nov 2014a 102.JPG : Grand Parkway at Clay Rd., facing east along Clay Rd. showing the northeast corner of land.
Nov 2014a 103.JPG : Grand Parkway where it runs parallel to Stockdick School Rd., facing west along Stockdick where it turns from east to northbound.
Nov 2014a 104.JPG : Grand Parkway alongside Stockdick School Rd., facing north towards Beckendorff.
Nov 2014a 105.JPG : Grand Parkway alongside Stockdick School Rd., facing north towards Beckendorff (zoomed in).
Nov 2014a 108.JPG : Grand Parkway passing the intersection of Stockdick School Rd. & Beckendorff, facing east.
Nov 2014a 109.JPG : Facing south along Stockdick School Rd. from Beckendorff.
Nov 2014a 110.JPG : Facing north along Stockdick School Rd. from Beckendorff.
Nov 2014a 111.JPG : Facing north along Stockdick School Rd. from Beckendorff, zoomed in towards FM 529.
Nov 2014a 113.JPG : Grand Parkway, facing north from the old House & Hahl alignment (which was made into a dead end during the parkway construction).
Nov 2014a 114.JPG : Grand Parkway crossing the old House & Hahl alignment, facing west. Originally House & Hahl ran west here before the parkway was built over it.
Nov 2014a 115.JPG : Grand Parkway alongside the old House & Hahl alignment, facing north.
JANUARY 2015
Jan 2015a 057.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway & Clay Rd.. facing east.
Jan 2015a 058.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway & Beckendorff Rd., with Stockdick School Rd. running parallel to the parkway.
Jan 2015a 059.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway & FM 529.
Jan 2015a 060.JPG : Aerial photo: Facing east along FM 529 corridor from over Grand Parkway.
Jan 2015a 062.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway at Tuckerton Rd. intersection. Tuckerton has not yet been extended west of Fry Rd. in this photo.
Jan 2015a 063.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway at Tuckerton Rd. intersection. You can see Tuckerton ending at Fry Rd. in the distance.
Jan 2015a 064.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway at the new House & Hahl intersection. I am now learning this may be called Bridgeland Creek Parkway actually.
Jan 2015a 065.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway at the new House & Hahl/ Bridgeland Creek Pkwy intersection. The Bridgeland community can be seen in the distance.
Jan 2015a 066.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway at the future Bridgeland Lake Parkway intersection. The B.L.P. road has not yet been extended past the manmade lake in the upper left.
Jan 2015a 067.JPG : Aerial photo: Another view of Bridgeland Lake Parkway, which currently dead ends after the manmade lake.
Jan 2015a 068.JPG : Aerial photo: US 290 and Grand Parkway interchange, where segment E ends and segment F1 begins.
Jan 2015a 069.JPG : Aerial photo: US 290 and Grand Parkway interchange, facing inbound along the 290 corridor.
Jan 2015a 070.JPG : Aerial photo: Another shot of US 290 and Grand Parkway interchange.
NOVEMBER 2015
Nov 2015a 002.JPG : Facing north along Stockdick School Rd. near FM 529. Directly ahead of me is the original right of way for Stockdick School Rd., which was erased.
Nov 2015a 003.JPG : Facing north along Stockdick School Rd. near FM 529.
Nov 2015a 004.jpg : Facing south along Stockdick School Rd., with the parkway on the right passing over Bear Creek.
Nov 2015a 005.jpg : Another view facing north along the original Stockdick School Rd. right of way towards FM 529.
Nov 2015a 009.JPG : At the present intersection of SH-99 and FM 529, facing east along FM 529, which has been fully widened to four lanes in both directions.
Nov 2015a 010.JPG : Facing south from FM 529 along the original end of Stockdick School Rd.
APRIL 2016
Apr 2016a 029.jpg : Aerial photo: SH-99 at Morton Ranch Rd., facing east.
Apr 2016a 030.jpg : Aerial photo: SH-99 at Stockdick School Rd., facing east.
Apr 2016a 031.jpg : Aerial photo: SH-99 at a presently unnamed intersection, presumably Tuckerton or West Rd. In the distance near the wing strut is the intersection of Tuckerton and Fry.
Apr 2016a 032.jpg : Aerial photo: SH-99 at Bridgeland Creek Parkway, which is still incomplete but handling the traffic of House & Hahl Rd., whose traces are still evident from the air.
Apr 2016a 033.jpg : Aerial photo: SH-99 at US 290, facing east along 290. Here is the transition from Segment E to Segment F-1.
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SEGMENT F-1
JUNE 2014
Grand Parkway crossing Schiel Rd., a small two lane road that spurs from Bauer in the Hockley area.
Jun 2014a 025.JPG : Grand Parkway crossing Schiel Rd., facing east. Support columns have been started but no lane structures yet.Jun 2014a 026.JPG : Grand Parkway crossing Schiel Rd., facing the south side of Schiel.
Jun 2014a 027.JPG : Grand Parkway crossing Schiel Rd., facing south.
Jun 2014a 028.JPG : Facing north at future freeway corridor from Schiel Rd.
Jun 2014a 029.JPG : Facing north along the future freeway corridor, zoomed in.
Jun 2014a 030.JPG : Facing west along Schiel from the crossing of the Grand Parkway.
Jun 2014a 032.JPG : Facing north along the freeway corridor from Schiel Rd., also an entrance for construction vehicles.
Grand Parkway crossing Self Rd. near Telge. Part of Self Rd. is actually an old corner of Telge Rd. dating back to the 1940's that was bypassed by a smooth curve in the 1960's. In 2014 the old Telge Rd. corner was invaded by the coming of the Grand Parkway.
Jun 2014a 056.JPG : Grand Parkway crossing Self Rd. near Telge, facing north along Self, the part that was once Telge.
Jun 2014a 057.JPG : Facing east along the road that links Self with Telge, also part of the old Telge alignment.
Jun 2014a 058.JPG : Facing west along Self Rd. with the freeway corridor on the right.
Jun 2014a 059.JPG : Facing west (zoomed in) along the main freeway corridor for Grand Parkway.
Grand Parkway crossing the old alignment of Boudreaux Rd., which was later renamed Rocky Rd. in 2014 following the completion of the Boudreaux realignment.
Jun 2014a 063.JPG : Facing east at the freeway corridor from Rocky Rd.
Jun 2014a 064.JPG : Facing east at the freeway corridor from Rocky Rd.
Jun 2014a 065.JPG : Facing east at the freeway corridor from Rocky Rd., zoomed in.
Jun 2014a 066.JPG : Facing east at the freeway corridor from Rocky Rd., zoomed in.
Jun 2014a 067.JPG : Facing west at the freeway corridor from Rocky Rd.
Jun 2014a 068.JPG : Facing north along Rocky Rd. (Old alignment of Boudreaux) at the site of Grand Parkway crossing.
Jun 2014a 069.JPG : Another photo facing east along the freeway corridor from Rocky Rd.
Jun 2014a 070.JPG : Facing west at the freeway corridor from Rocky Rd.
Grand Parkway crossing SH-249 (Tomball Parkway) near Boudreaux Rd.
Jun 2014a 062.JPG: Facing north along SH-249 with the Grand Parkway main lanes halfway-built over 249.
OCTOBER 2014
Oct 2014a 004.JPG : Aerial photo of the progress on segment F1, facing south towards the 290/Grand Parkway interchange.
Oct 2014a 005.JPG : Aerial photo of Grand Parkway crossing Mueschke Rd., facing south along Mueschke.
Oct 2014a 006.JPG : Aerial photo of Grand Parkway crossing Cypress-Rosehill Rd., facing south.
Oct 2014a 007.JPG : Aerial photo of Grand Parkway crossing Telge Rd. in the distance, facing south along Telge.
Oct 2014a 012.JPG : Aerial photo of Grand Parkway crossing SH-249. You can see the old alignment of Boudreaux Rd. in the foreground.
This is the Grand Parkway crossing Self Rd. (part of old Telge)
Oct 2014a 016.JPG : The new main lane structure being built near Telge. The shape of the supports suggests there will be an embankment built in the future, hiding them.
Oct 2014a 017.JPG : Support pylons for the Grand Parkway where it will pass over Telge.
Oct 2014a 018.JPG : Facing west along Grand Parkway corridor from Self Rd.
Oct 2014a 019.JPG : Heading south on Telge at the overpass site of the Grand Parkway.
This is the Grand Parkway crossing the old alignment of Boudreaux Rd, which sits on the west side of 249.
Oct 2014a 032.JPG : Facing the Grand Parkway from the corner of Rocky Rd./Old Boudreaux.
Oct 2014a 033.JPG : Facing east along the old Boudreaux alignment
Oct 2014a 034.JPG : The Grand Parkway overpass at old Boudreaux alignment.
Oct 2014a 035.JPG : The Grand Parkway overpass at old Boudreaux alignment.
JANUARY 2015
Jan 2015a 071.JPG : Aerial photo: Part of the Grand Parkway F1 segment just a few blocks north of the 290 interchange. Crossroad not yet identified.
Jan 2015a 072.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway F1 segment crossing Schiel Rd., facing southeast.
Jan 2015a 073.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway F1 segment where it turns from a northbound direction to the east.
Jan 2015a 074.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway F1 segment where it turns from north to east. This view is facing back south towards 290.
Jan 2015a 075.JPG : Aerial photo: Facing east along the Grand Parkway, the crossroad ahead is Mueschke Rd.
Jan 2015a 076.JPG : Aerial photo: Facing south along Mueschke Rd. at the Grand Parkway intersection site.
Jan 2015a 077.JPG : Aerial photo: Facing south along Cypress-Rosehill Rd. at the Grand Parkway intersection site.
Jan 2015a 078.JPG : Aerial photo: Facing south along Telge Rd. at Grand Parkway crossing. You can see where Telge jogs to the left, and the newer road that was built to smooth out the curve.
Jan 2015a 079.JPG : Aerial photo: A closer look at the Grand Parkway construction as it passes over Telge Rd.
Jan 2015a 080.JPG : Aerial photo: Facing south along SH-249 (Tomball Parkway) at the Grand Parkway interchange, where the F1 segment becomes the F2 segment.
JANUARY 2016
Jan 2016a 001.JPG : The F1 segment crossing Telge Rd. only a month before the parkway opened to traffic. Telge is still only two lanes wide in this photo.
Jan 2016a 002.JPG : The F1 segment crossing Telge Rd.
Jan 2016a 074.JPG : Grand Parkway crossing Schiel Rd. just north of 290. This view is facing west.
Jan 2016a 075.JPG : Grand Parkway crossing Schiel Rd., facing west.
Jan 2016a 076.JPG : Grand Parkway crossing Schiel Rd., facing east from under the bridge.
Jan 2016a 077.JPG : Grand Parkway crossing Schiel Rd., facing north along what is presumably a future frontage road, but still clearly unfinished here.
Jan 2016a 078.JPG : Grand Parkway crossing Schiel Rd., facing north where Schiel and the Parkway run briefly parallel to each other.
Jan 2016a 079.JPG : Grand Parkway crossing Schiel Rd., facing east along Schiel.
FEBRUARY 2016
The new F1 and F2 segments of the Grand Parkway were scheduled to be opened to traffic on Monday, February 8th, 2016. However, it was opened two days earlier on the weekend of February 6th. For the first week, tolls were waived, and went into effect Feb. 15th. The following 11 photos were taken on an inaugural cruise starting at 290 West, and ending at SH-249 (Tomball Parkway). The journey continued but as 249 marks the end of segment F1, the rest of the photos from the inaugural drive will be displayed in the subsequent chapter for segment F2.
Feb 2016a 001.JPG : Northbound from 290 approaching the exit for Cumberland Ridge Drive.
Feb 2016a 002.JPG : Approaching the exit for Mueschke Rd. Near this location, the parkway is transitioning from a north heading to an eastbound heading.
Feb 2016a 003.JPG : While passing over Mueschke Rd., this view is facing south from the parkway along a two-lane Mueschke.
Feb 2016a 004.JPG : Traveling eastbound approaching the Cypress-Rosehill exit.
Feb 2016a 005.JPG : While passing over Cypress-Rosehill Rd., this view is facing south from the Grand Parkway along Cypress-Rosehill.
Feb 2016a 006.JPG : Following the eastbound lanes between Cypress-Rosehill & Telge.
Feb 2016a 007.JPG : Eastbound approaching the Telge Rd. exit.
Feb 2016a 008.JPG : The Telge Rd. exit.
Feb 2016a 009.JPG : Nearing the SH-249 interchange, which marks the end of segment F1 and the start of segment F2.
Feb 2016a 010.JPG : Getting closer to SH-249, notice the dead end exit ramps for a freeway interchange in the future.
Feb 2016a 011.JPG : Eastbound on Grand Parkway passing over 249, facing south. On the left side of the photo is Graceview Baptist Church and Parkway Chevrolet.
Additional photos from a subsequent drive the following weekend, on February 14th.
Feb 2016a 021.jpg : Northbound on the final stretch of segment E, approaching 290.
Feb 2016a 022.jpg : Northbound from 290
Feb 2016a 023.jpg : Eastbound between Telge Rd. and SH-249.
Feb 2016a 024.jpg : Eastbound approaching SH-249 interchange (which has not been built at this time).
Feb 2016a 025.jpg : Eastbound approaching SH-249 interchange.
Feb 2016a 034.jpg : Traveling from southbound lanes onto 290 eastbound, facing along 290. The Premium Outlets are on the left.
SEPTEMBER 2016
Sep 2016a 001.jpg : Grand Parkway at Cypress-Rosehill Rd. facing west.
Sep 2016a 002.jpg : Grand Parkway at Cypress-Rosehill Rd., now heading south on Cypress-Rosehill.
Sep 2016a 003.jpg : Traveling southbound on Cypress-Rosehill from Grand Parkway.
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SEGMENT F-2
The F-2 segment of Grand Parkway will begin at SH-249 (Tomball Parkway), and travel east to connect with I-45 near the new Exxon Campus in the Woodlands area. Construction was becoming evident in the late months of 2013, and by early 2014, a lot of clearing had begun on nearby properties. The interchange at SH-249 was making excellent progress as well.
FEBRUARY 2013
The following photos were taken along the 249 frontage road at a dead-end that would later become the new right-of-way for Boudreaux Rd. Why am I posting pictures of Boudreaux on the Grand Parkway page? Because the implementation of the Grand Parkway was largely responsible for the displacement of Boudreaux. When the Grand Parkway (and also SH-249) went under the scalpel, Boudreaux was disturbed greatly. I was fortunate to have anticipated this change and taken some good "before" photos.
Feb 2013a 086.jpg : SH-249 at the future intersection of Boudreaux Rd., which at this time sits a few blocks to the north. This is facing west from the roadside.
Feb 2013a 087.jpg : Facing the site of the future Grand Parkway crossing from Graceview Baptist Church on the northbound frontage road of 249.
Feb 2013a 088.jpg : SH-249 at the future Boudreaux Rd. intersection, facing south along the frontage road.
Feb 2013a 089.jpg : SH-249 at the future Boudreaux Rd. intersection, facing west across 249.
Feb 2013a 090.jpg : SH-249 at the future Boudreaux Rd. intersection, facing east along the new right of way.
Feb 2013a 091.jpg : Graceview Baptist Church, which narrowly escaped demolition for the pending Grand Parkway project.
Feb 2013a 094.jpg : This is the old Boudreaux Rd. intersection with SH-249, still active in this photo, facing west across 249.
Feb 2013a 095.jpg : The old Boudreaux Rd. intersection with SH-249, facing west during its active days. The western half of this road segment was later named Boudreaux Estates Dr.
Feb 2013a 096.jpg : The old Boudreaux Rd. intersection with SH-249, facing northwest towards SH-249.
Feb 2013a 099.jpg : The intersection of Boudreaux Rd. and FM 2920 before any Grand Parkway construction (facing north along FM 2920).
JANUARY 2014
Jan 2014a 071.JPG : Landing at Hooks Airport (runway 17) looking down on FM 2920 and Boudreaux Rd. before any Grand Parkway construction had begun.
Jan 2014a 074.JPG : Westbound on Boudreaux Rd. towards SH-249 before the realignment of Boudreaux happened. The new alignment is still being carved out.
Jan 2014a 075.JPG : Facing southwest along what will soon become the new alignment for Boudreaux Rd. east of Tomball Parkway.
APRIL 2014
Apr 2014a 034.JPG : The view of SH-249 and Grand Parkway interchange from Graceview Baptist Church.
Apr 2014a 035.JPG : Graceview Education center in mid-demolition
Apr 2014a 036.JPG : Grand Parkway being built over SH-249, viewed from Graceview Baptist Church.
Apr 2014a 037.JPG : Construction underway at SH-249 and new Boudreaux intersection. Part of Grand Parkway interchange.
Apr 2014a 038.JPG : Graceview Education center in mid-demolition, a closer look than photo #35.
Apr 2014a 039.JPG : Construction workers building part of a support for the SH-249/Grand Parkway interchange.
JULY 2014
Jul 2014a 003.JPG : Southbound on I-45 approaching the Grand Parkway/I-45 interchange from the Woodlands.
Jul 2014a 004.JPG Southbound on I-45 approaching the Grand Parkway/I-45 interchange from the Woodlands.
Jul 2014a 006.JPG : Southbound on I-45, facing west at the Grand Parkway interchange flyovers being built.
OCTOBER 2014
Oct 2014a 013.JPG : Aerial photo of FM 2920 at Boudreaux on final approach to Hooks Airport. Grand Parkway corridor visible on the right.
Oct 2014a 014.JPG : Aerial photo flying over the Grand Parkway corridor with Boudreaux right in the way; FM 2920 in the foreground.
Oct 2014a 015.JPG : Aerial photo facing the Grand Parkway corridor while on final approach into Hooks Airport.
NOVEMBER 2014
Nov 2014a 056.JPG : Facing northeast along the new part of Boudreaux Rd. towards the Grand Parkway crossover.
Nov 2014a 057.JPG : A closer look at the crossover.
Nov 2014a 059.jpg : A panoramic shot of Boudreaux Rd. between SH-249 and Grand Parkway.
Nov 2014a 060.JPG : The Grand Parkway crossing Gleannloch Forest Dr. where it was tied into Boudreaux back in 2005.
Nov 2014a 061.JPG : The same junction of Boudreaux and Gleannloch Forest Dr., facing northwest. Boudreaux is on the right, but also straight ahead across the intersection.
Nov 2014a 062.JPG : The same junction of Boudreaux and Gleannloch Forest Dr., facing southeast along Gleannloch Forest at the site of Grand Parkway crossing.
Nov 2014a 063.JPG : Facing east along Boudreaux from Gleannloch Forest Dr.
Nov 2014a 064.JPG : Facing the northeast corner of Boudreaux and Gleannloch Forest Dr. The sign says a new HEB is coming, but the Grand Parkway seems to also be dead set on passing through these trees.
Nov 2014a 065.JPG : Facing northwest along Boudreaux from Gleannloch Forest Dr. Behind the yellow arrows lies the original pre-2005 alignment of Boudreaux, concealed by grass.
Nov 2014a 066.JPG : The junction of Boudreaux and Gleannloch Forest Dr., facing east along what will soon be the parkway corridor. (Notice the sound barrier wall in the distance).
Nov 2014a 085.JPG : Westbound on Boudreaux Rd. at Champions Forest Dr. The left side of the photo is where Grand Parkway is scheduled to be.
Nov 2014a 069.JPG : Facing west along Boudreaux Rd. at Sugar Orchard Dr., (part of the tract homes of Cottage Gardens) when Boudreaux was just two lanes.
Nov 2014a 070.JPG : Facing east along Boudreaux Rd. at Sugar Orchard Dr., when Boudreaux was just two lanes.
Nov 2014a 071.JPG : A sign for "Cottage Gardens" that looks to be in the way of Grand Parkway construction, facing east along Boudreaux.
Nov 2014a 072.JPG : Facing east along the Grand Parkway corridor at the junction of Newcourt Blvd., which has not been completed in this photo.
Nov 2014a 073.JPG : Facing east along the Grand Parkway corridor (north sound barrier wall) from Newcourt Blvd.
Nov 2014a 074.JPG : Facing west along the Grand Parkway corridor from Newcourt Blvd. On the left of the photo is Boudreaux Rd.
Nov 2014a 076.JPG : Facing further along the Grand Parkway corridor towards FM 2920, where the construction had not yet reached.
Nov 2014a 078.JPG : A freshly poured segment of Newcourt Blvd, facing northwest from the Grand Parkway corridor.
Nov 2014a 079.JPG : Another view of the Grand Parkway sound barrier wall at Newcourt Blvd.
Nov 2014a 080.JPG : A great view looking east along Boudreaux Rd. towards FM 2920, with the new parkway sound barrier on the left. Soon this view will be gone forever.
Nov 2014a 081.JPG : Facing west along Boudreaux Rd. from Newcourt Blvd., another view that will soon be taken over by Grand Parkway.
Nov 2014a 082.JPG : The entrance to Tomball Jet, part of Hooks Airport, from Boudreaux Rd. The parkway will soon cross right into this path.
Nov 2014a 083.JPG : Facing east along Boudreaux towards FM 2920 from Tomball Jet.
JANUARY 2015
Jan 2015a 081.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway F2 segment crossing Hufsmith-Kohrville Rd. and the nearby railroad corridor.
Jan 2015a 082.JPG : Aerial photo: Grand Parkway F2 segment crossing Hufsmith-Kohrville Rd. and the nearby railroad corridor.
FEBRUARY 2015
Feb 2015a 001.jpg : Construction crews working on a section of FM 2920 at Boudreaux Rd. where the Grand Parkway underpass will soon run (facing west along Boudreaux corridor)
Feb 2015a 002.JPG : Aerial photo, facing east along Boudreaux Rd. at Gleannloch Forest Dr. & also Champions Forest Dr., Grand Parkway construction underway.
JUNE 2015
Jun 2015a 001.JPG : Aerial photo of Grand Parkway F2 segment crossing FM 2920/Boudreaux Rd.
Jun 2015a 002.JPG : Another aerial photo of the same intersection.
Jun 2015a 003.JPG : Aerial photo of some new apartments at the corner of Spring-Cypress and Stuebner-Airline Rd.
Jun 2015a 004.JPG : Traveling westbound along a defacto Boudreaux corridor during construction of the F2 segment between SH-249 and FM 2920.
Jun 2015a 005.JPG : Traveling westbound along Boudreaux at Champions Forest Dr., now with the Grand Parkway overpass constructed.
Jun 2015a 006.JPG : Traveling westbound along Boudreaux at Hufsmith-Kohrville Rd.
OCTOBER 2015
Oct 2015a 038.JPG : The intersection of FM 2920 and Grand Parkway, formerly the location of just Boudreaux Rd. Facing north along FM 2920.
Oct 2015a 039.JPG : Facing west along the Grand Parkway from FM 2920 overpass as construction moves along.
Oct 2015a 040.JPG : Facing west along the Grand Parkway from FM 2920, zoomed in.
Oct 2015a 041.JPG : Facing east along the grand Parkway corridor from FM 2920. The parkway presence is not clear from this view, but makes a slight jog to the north after FM 2920.
Oct 2015a 043.JPG : An electronic toll tag reader on Grand Parkway. This is traveling west along Boudreaux Rd. near the entrance to Tomball Jet (Hooks Airport).
Oct 2015a 044.JPG : Some type of radar instrument located off Boudreaux Rd. almost directly in the path of Grand Parkway. The parkway skirted right past this government installation.
Oct 2015a 045.JPG : This view is traveling westbound on what will soon be the main lanes of Grand Parkway. Previously Boudreaux Rd. ran here, but has now been absorbed by the parkway. Because the Cottage Gardens community still needed access to their homes, this section of the parkway was opened to allow traffic in and out of the neighborhood. The car in the photo is on Sweet Blossom Dr., near Sugar Orchard.
Oct 2015a 046.JPG : Traveling eastbound on Boudreaux Rd. with the Grand Parkway on the right. This intersection is the entrance to Tomball Jet Center, and is also being used to divert traffic from Boudreaux onto the grand Parkway frontage road, since Boudreaux has been absorbed by the parkway construction several blocks from here. Compare this photo with November 2014, photo 083.
Oct 2015a 047.JPG : Heading westbound on lanes that will soon become the Grand Parkway eastbound frontage road, between Tomball Jet Center and Gleannloch Forest Dr.
Oct 2015a 048.JPG : The intersection of Grand Parkway and Gleannloch Forest Dr., also where Boudreaux resumes. As of now, Boudreaux ends at Gleannloch Forest and does not resume until east of Cottage Gardens.
Oct 2015a 049.JPG : Facing east along what used to be Boudreaux Rd. heading east from Gleannloch Forest Dr. It now appears that the alignment was overtaken by the Grand Parkway westbound frontage road. Compare this photo with November 2014 photo 063 to see the difference.
Oct 2015a 050.JPG : Facing south along Gleannloch Forest Dr. from the westbound Grand Parkway frontage road (former intersection of Boudreaux).
Oct 2015a 051.JPG : Facing west along Grand Parkway from Gleannloch Forest Dr./ Boudreaux Rd.
Oct 2015a 052.JPG : Facing north/northwest along Boudreaux Rd. from its terminus at Grand Parkway & Gleannloch Forest Dr.
Oct 2015a 053.JPG : Facing west along Grand Parkway from Gleannloch Forest Dr.,/ Boudreaux Rd.
NOVEMBER 2015
Nov 2015a 017.jpg : Facing north along SH-249 frontage road from Boudreaux at the SH-99 overpass.
Nov 2015a 018.jpg : Facing the Parkway overpass from the northwest corner of SH-249 and Boudreaux Rd.
Nov 2015a 019.jpg : A view of the Parkway west of 249 (technically the last part of Segment F1, but still part of this sequence of photos).
Nov 2015a 021.jpg : Aerial photo, looking out the window of a plane at the Grand Parkway, running east towards FM 2920. The huge radar in the middle of the parkway was there long before the freeway. However for the longest time, it was in the middle of nowhere. Suddenly this Grand Parkway came along, and just happened to be in the path of the radar tower. It was easier to build around it than to go through the process of constructing a new one at new coordinates.
Nov 2015a 022.jpg : Aerial photo, facing west along Grand Parkway over Gleannloch Estates Dr. (near Champions Forest). 249 can be seen in the distance.
Nov 2015a 023.jpg : Aerial photo, facing west along Grand Parkway over Gleannloch Estates Dr., but at a slightly different angle.
DECEMBER 2015
Dec 2015a 004.JPG : SH-249 and Grand Parkway interchange, facing north along SH-249.
Dec 2015a 005.JPG : SH-249 and Grand Parkway interchange, facing north along SH-249 from Boudreaux intersection,
Dec 2015a 010.JPG : SH-249 and Grand Parkway interchange, viewed from the northbound 249 frontage road.
Dec 2015a 011.JPG : SH-249 and Grand Parkway interchange, facing slightly northeast from the 249 frontage road.
Dec 2015a 014.JPG : Eastbound on Grand Parkway frontage road approaching Champions Forest Dr.
Dec 2015a 015.JPG : Grand Parkway at Champions Forest Dr., facing east.
Dec 2015a 016.JPG : Eastbound on Grand Parkway frontage road between Champions Forest and FM 2920.
Dec 2015a 017.JPG : Eastbound on Grand Parkway frontage road between Champions Forest and FM 2920.
Dec 2015a 018.JPG : The radar dome for Hooks Airport, stuck out in the middle of Grand Parkway.
Dec 2015a 019.JPG : Eastbound on Grand Parkway frontage road at the entrance to Tomball Jet (part of Hooks Airport).
Dec 2015a 020.JPG : Eastbound on Grand Parkway frontage road from Tomball Jet to FM 2920.
Dec 2015a 021.JPG : Intersection of Grand Parkway and FM 2920, facing east across the intersection.
Dec 2015a 022.JPG : Eastbound on Grand Parkway frontage road approaching Boudreaux/Kuykendahl.
FEBRUARY 2016
The following photos are from my inaugural drives along Grand Parkway when the new F1 and F2 segments were finally opened to traffic. The first drive was only from 290 to FM 2920, but on the second drive I took, I began all the way down at I-10 and went the full distance to I-45. From Katy to the Woodlands it was a 30 minute trip, averaging 75mph.
Feb 2016a 012.JPG : Passing over SH-249, facing the southeast corner of the 249/Grand Parkway interchange.
Feb 2016a 027.jpg : Eastbound approaching the FM 2920 exit. The parkway passes beneath FM 2920 ahead.
Feb 2016a 028.jpg : Eastbound at the FM 2920 underpass.
Feb 2016a 029.jpg : Eastbound approaching the Holzwarth exit/underpass. At this time the exit has not been completed.
Feb 2016a 030.jpg : Eastbound, taking the exit flyover ramp for Northbound I-45.
Feb 2016a 031.jpg : The northbound ramp from Grand Parkway to I-45. This is where the open section of Grand Parkway ends. The remaining portions are still under construction.
Feb 2016a 032.jpg : Another shot of the exit onto I-45 North.
Feb 2016a 019.jpg : An aerial view of the Grand Parkway at FM 2920, now complete. Taken on a final approach into Hooks airport.
Feb 2016a 020.jpg : Another aerial view taken on final approach into Hooks.
OCTOBER 2016
Oct 2016a 042.JPG : Traveling westbound on Grand Parkway passing under the FM 2920 intersection.
Oct 2016a 043.JPG : Crossing an electronic toll tag reader on Grand Parkway just west of Hooks Airport.
This opening of the F1 and F2 segments of Grand Parkway marks an ending point of my coverage of the Grand Parkway. The parts of the freeway that run through the western half of the Greater Houston area have now been finished. My original intentions of photographing and documenting the construction of Grand Parkway was to show how the project impacted the local communities, and to provide a suitable gallery of photographs of the way the land looked before the parkway, as well as during its construction. After the F2 segment spills onto I-45, it starts to become east side material. I have covered a few places and roads on the northeast sides of town, but in the interest of keeping my Grand Parkway page relevant to West Houston, I have decided not to cover the progress of the G-segment. The distance from home is simply too far to make regular visits, and I don't know enough about the roads on that side of town to be able to provide an insightful story. I may add some aerial photos or an occasional photo of the SH-249 interchange when it goes up, but this is the end point, friends. Enjoy the pages, and keep watching my other road pages for updates!
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