Yes, the first study for 290 widening started in 1999.

]Work is rapidly progressing in northeast Houston on the $2.4-billion reconstruction of US 290, which spans 38 miles and includes a 10-mile extension of the HOV lane. The massive undertaking that began in 2011 has required 375 right-of-way acquisitions and more than 600 utility relocations. The project also has seen multiple setbacks, from securing funding to sequencing construction routes to keep traffic flowing.

A major investment study into the US 290/Hempstead program began back in 1999, when the Texas Dept. of Transportation (TxDOT) sought mobility improvements due to explosive growth on the northwest side of Houston, says Frank Leong, West Harris County area engineer at TxDOT.

The highway program reconstructs US 290 and builds the parallel Hempstead Tollway, covering a corridor of varying widths. At 38 miles long, it extends from the interchange of I-10/I-610/US 290 northwest to near the Harris and Waller county line, Leong says.

When complete, the US 290 program will expand the roadway to include five to six general-purpose lanes in each direction from I-610 to west of SH 6; four general-purpose lanes in each direction from west of SH 6 to near the proposed SH 99-Grand Parkway; three general-purpose lanes in each direction from near the proposed SH 99-Grand Parkway to FM 2920; along with two to three-lane frontage roads in each direction throughout the corridor.

The program received its record of decision in 2010, and construction officially began in June 2011. TxDOT selected HNTB as program management consultant (PMC) and opened an office dedicated to the program in 2006.

“Since then, TxDOT selected eight section design consultants to prepare the plans, specifications and estimates, and bid 13 construction contracts,” Leong says. “Fi[/i]