2001 – Interstate 10 West Turns into Toll Road

2001 – I-10 West’s promotion intensified with development efforts by WHA to focus on Harris County paying for and operating a four lane toll road in the center of the freeway. The Katy Freeway expansion was a project of such large scale that it will likely never again be matched in the United States.

“A lawsuit attempting to stop the project was in litigation, and the project could not proceed until a favorable judgement was received. An official groundbreaking ceremony was held in June 2003, since the far west section was not affected by litigation. On April 9, 2004, a federal court dismissed the lawsuit, clearing the path to construction for the entire project.”

Right-of-way clearance and construction proceeded quickly. The project west of Highway 6 was officially dedicated on June 26, 2006, and the entire project was completed in October 2008, with a dedication ceremony on October 28.