From the cover
The nal stretch
BY WESLEY GARDNER
The overview
Project breakdown
1
2
After more than four years of construction, work on a $128.2 million project to widen FM 1960 in the Lake Houston area is expected to wrap up in April, ocials with the Texas Department of Transportation conrmed March 18. In late 2021, road work began on a two-part project that widened FM 1960 from a four-lane asphalt roadway to a six-lane divided concrete roadway. TxDOT Public Information Ocer Bambi Hall said the project consists of a raised median, curbs and gutters, channelized left-turn lanes and 5-foot sidewalks on both sides of the roadway. Segment A—a $58.2 million project—runs from Business FM 1960 to east of Twigsworth Lane, while Segment B—a $70 million project— continues to the western approach of the McKay Bridge at Lake Houston. Hall said work on Segment B wrapped up in December, and that all lanes within Segment A will be open by March 23. She noted work on remaining punch-list items should be nished by the end of April.
1960
LAKE HOUSTON
TWIGSWORTH LN.
FARMINGHAM RD.
59
Humble
WOODLAND HILLS DR.
W. LAKE HOUSTON PKWY.
Atascocita
N
1 FM 1960 Segment A Project limits: Widens FM 1960 from four lanes to six lanes between Business FM 1960 to east of Twigsworth Lane. • Cost: $58.2 million • Timeline: late 2021-April 2026 • Funding source: TxDOT
2 FM 1960 Segment B Project limits: Widens FM 1960 from four lanes to six lanes between east of Twigsworth Lane and the McKay Bridge at Lake Houston. • Cost: $70 million • Timeline: late 2021-December 2025 • Funding source: TxDOT
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT
some challenges for the businesses, their clients and people just passing through the area,” Hernandez said. “However, it’s going to improve and elevate the experience of those who live, work, travel and thrive in the area.”
Ray Hernandez, CEO and president of Partnership Lake Houston, said while the project was necessary for the area, construction has caused some diculties for businesses along FM 1960. “Construction, while needed, obviously causes
A closer look
Why it matters
What’s next
TxDOT data shows trac has remained relatively stable throughout the project. From 2021 to 2024, trac counts at Moonshine Hill Road and FM 1960 increased by roughly 1.6%—rising from a daily average of 45,054 motorists in 2021 to 45,793 motorists in 2024. “Sometimes just the perception of trac might cause some challenges,” Hernandez said. Prior to the start of construction, trac steadily increased along the roadway, rising from 39,125 average daily motorists in 2014 to a peak of 51,189 in 2018—a nearly 31% increase, TxDOT data shows.
Despite trac remaining relatively consistent along the roadway, Hernandez said many of the businesses he’s spoken with have struggled throughout stretches of the project. Kanga’s Indoor Play Center owner Megan Styron said her business’ location at the intersection of FM 1960 and Timber Forest Drive has made it easier for patrons to access her business, but she said she still believes some motorists are avoiding the roadway. “[Trac is] heavy west of us … so any- body coming from the front of Kingwood or New Caney to get to us would struggle or be afraid to come because of that,” Styron said. HEB Store Director Thomas Theriot said his store, located near the intersection of FM 1960 and West Lake Houston Parkway, lost business early in the construction process. However, he said he’s seen an increase in customers since construction largely wrapped up near his store. “The streets were a mess, and nobody wanted to mess with us, so [customers] deselected the store,” Theriot said. “As soon as construction eased, it picked back up.”
Hernandez said he believes many of the businesses along FM 1960 will be poised for success once construction wraps up. “I think there’s a better sense of ease and safety for those businesses that have weathered [the project],” Hernandez said. “I believe they’ll see some uptick in business that will maybe cause them to expand their oerings as well.”
While work on the FM 1960 widening project will be largely complete by the end of March, TxDOT ocials said several punch list items will need to be completed throughout April, which commonly include:
FM 1960 average daily motorists 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 45,125 45,040
Repairing pavement cracks or uneven surfaces
-0.9%
47,032 51,189 45,346 44,608 45,054 45,505 46,415 45,793
+4.4%
Fixing drainage issues
+8.8%
-1.3% +2% +1% +1% -1.6% -11.4%
Finalizing pavement markings
Replacing damaged landscaping
2021 2022 2023 2024
Cleaning up debris
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION
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