The US 290 Program, which entails reconstruction of US 290 and Hempstead Tollway, covers a corridor of varying width that is approximately 38 miles long, extending from the interchange area of IH 10/IH 610/ US 290 northwest to FM 2920.
The overall vision for the US 290 Program includes:
- Freeway capacity reconstruction and widening from IH 610 to FM 2920 to create:
- Five general-purpose lanes in each direction from IH 610 to just west of SH 6, plus auxiliary lanes where appropriate
- Four general-purpose lanes in each direction from just west of SH 6 to near the proposed SH 99/Grand Parkway, plus auxiliary lanes
- Three general-purpose lanes in each direction from near the proposed SH 99/Grand Parkway to the west study limit, plus auxiliary lanes
- Two- or three-lane frontage roads in each direction throughout the corridor
ALSO:
- A four-lane, two-way managed lanes facility along Hempstead Tollway from IH 610 to the proposed SH 99/Grand Parkway
- Two non-tolled frontage road lanes in each direction to be reconstructed along Hempstead Tollway from IH 610 to Beltway 8
- US 290 METRO HOV operations moved to the Hempstead Tollway managed toll lanes
- Proposed high-capacity transit corridor located along Hempstead Tollway
- Bicycle and pedestrian improvements
Phase I of US 290 construction includes the US 290/IH 610 interchange and US 290 out to W. 34th Street. Parts of this phase are scheduled to go to construction in 2011, and those sections will be paid for with Proposition 12 funding. Click here to learn more about Proposition 12.
In addition, TxDOT has identified additional funding mechanisms that will allow the Department to advance construction areas on several areas of the Program Corridor. It is important to note that these funding mechanisms are limited, and will only provide for minimal construction at select locations. Click here to learn more about these newly funded projects.
At this time, funding the remaining portions of the US 290/Hempstead Corridor has not been identified, and time frames for construction remain unclear due to several factors including current state and federal funding challenges as noted here. The sooner funding can be secured the sooner construction on these phases can begin.
To view the FEIS program maps, click here.