Grand Parkway West Construction May be Delayed

Harris County Commissioners voted to decline the use of $165 million in stimulus funds for Segment E construction.  Commissioner Radack explains that a pending law suit will likely be unsettled in time for TxDOT to meet the construction start deadline of the end of February, 2010.  The funds will be reprogrammed by TxDOT to other projects in the Houston area.

 March 10, 2009 Harris County Court authorized the execution of design contracts to begin on Segment E.  The County had previously approved an agreement with TxDOT that will allow the County to begin engineering and ultimately construction of Segment E. Read WHA article.  Nothing has developed as of September, 2009 on the Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter suit to stop the project.  They contend  approval of the environmental statements by the FHWA was "arbitrary and capricious". Read the filing at this link as well as the WHA response.

Houston's Number One Project:  US 290 Needs Expansion Now

UPDATE TxDOT Programs $315.6 million for US 290@Loop 610

The Transportation Commission approved the allocation of $315.6 million to the 610 interchange with US 290 and I-610.  Construction will begin within 18 months.  Read the WHA article.

Commuter Rail

Union Pacific Railroad has offered to make the US 290 rail corridor available for commuter rail use, according to Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.

There is no more critical construction need in the region.   Population growth and traffic demand requires a rapid response. Everyone agrees but what is going on?  Read the WHA article.

Board & Officers for 2010 Announced

David Hightower of Wolff Companies has been reelected chairman of the WHA Board of Directors for 2010.  Joel Marshall of Trendmaker has been named Vice Chairman for 2010. Read More

2010 West Houston Development Map Available February 22

The Association's  2010 Development Map will be distributed beginning February 22, 2010.  All WHA members will receive a copy of the map and additional copies in various editions & a smaller size will be available.  Read More.  Sponsorships Available until Feb.  1st.  WHAnews Member Map Order Form.

2009 Activity Report

The WHA has distributed its 2009 Activity Report to member companies.  (Read the Report as a PDF)

WHA Urges GP/I-10 Interchange Expansion

In a letter to the TPC and TxDOT, the Association urges direct connections and mainlanes for the Grand Parkway and Interstate 10. Read more.