What Southeast Houston Needs to Know about The Grand Parkway 99 Expansion

The long-awaited Grand Parkway 99 expansion between League City and Alvin is officially moving forward — and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest transportation projects in Southeast Houston’s history. Here’s everything TxDOT revealed during the League City Town Hall and what it means for local residents, homeowners, and businesses.

📍 Project Overview

The Grand Parkway Segment B1 will stretch roughly 14 miles, connecting League City to Alvin with a four-lane toll road (two lanes each direction).

• Connections: 4 ramps at I-45 and 2 at Highway 35

• Estimated Cost: $1.6 – $2 billion

• Funding: Primarily toll-funded, not taxpayer-funded

• Contract Type: “Design-Build”, design and construction overlap to speed things up

This project fills one of the last remaining gaps in the Grand Parkway loop improving connectivity from Brazoria to Galveston County and easing congestion along 45 and 35.

🕒 Construction Timeline

Early 2026: TxDOT will begin site studies, soil testing, and design work.
Late 2026 → 2027: Expect to see bulldozers, drill rigs, and major dirt work as full construction ramps up.
Target Completion: 2031, when the tollway is expected to open to traffic.

Two major contracts will guide construction:

1. Main Segment: League City → Alvin

2. I-45 Interchange Package: Runs about two years behind but will open at the same time.

⚙️ Key Construction Details

• The route will cross Calder, Hobbs, and FM 646, then tie into I-45 near the former Hibernia Bank and 7-Eleven site.

• Frontage roads will be discontinuous — meaning not every stretch will have service roads running parallel.

• Highway 35 will be completely rebuilt, since the current pavement is more than 60 years old.

• TxDOT anticipates over 450 utility conflicts, plus challenges working around pipelines, transmission lines, and the BNSF railroad near Alvin.

🚧 What Locals Can Expect

Construction will stretch over several years and bring typical work-zone conditions — reduced speeds, detours, and busy intersections near 646 and 35.
TxDOT has urged drivers to slow down in work zones, emphasizing worker safety and minimizing delays.

For League City, most visible work will be elevated crossings rather than surface disruption. Expect bridgework over Calder, Hobbs, and 646, while the new toll lanes run mostly through undeveloped areas (the “greenfield” section).

🏘️ Community Concerns & Responses

Local homeowners raised several questions during the meeting. Here’s how TxDOT responded:

• Noise Barriers: Planned at four sites — two apartment complexes off 35, Watermark Subdivision, and Bay Colony near 646. No walls are planned near Hobbs at this time.

• Property Values: TxDOT doesn’t conduct home-value impact studies, and no local data is currently available.

• Traffic Lights: A potential signal at 646 will depend on traffic counts after the road opens.

• Drainage: Multiple detention ponds (“blue dots” on TxDOT’s plans) are included to handle stormwater runoff.

• Right-of-Way: Most land acquisition is already completed or in progress.

💼 Economic Growth & Local Opportunity

The Grand Parkway isn’t just a road, it’s an economic corridor in the making. Once complete, it’s expected to:

• Boost access to new residential communities like Westland Ranch and Watermark

• Attract new retail and commercial development around FM 646 and 35

• Reduce congestion and shorten commute times between Galveston County and Houston

During construction, there will also be business opportunities for local contractors and suppliers, from security and janitorial services to printing, equipment rental, and catering. TxDOT estimates 300–400 workers will be on-site at the peak of the project, bringing fresh demand for local goods and services.

🔗 Stay Informed

TxDOT and the City of League City are maintaining active project pages with maps, schedules, and updates.

• TxDOT Environmental & Engineering Sites (for detailed project info)

• City of League City Project Page — will host meeting videos, PDFs, and local contact info

• Once construction begins, the contractor will launch a public info website with real-time updates and alerts.

🏁 The Bottom Line

The Grand Parkway 99 expansion between League City and Alvin is finally happening. After decades of planning, it’s expected to open around 2031, reshaping mobility and growth across Southeast Houston.

It’ll take years of construction (and patience), but the long-term benefits — smoother commutes, new business opportunities, and stronger regional connections — are on the horizon.

Want more Southeast Houston updates? Follow Watchdog Realty Group for clear, no-fluff breakdowns of the projects shaping our communities from new roads to new neighborhoods. 🏡📢