Grand Parkway opening nears

Crews install a barricade on an unfinished flyover on the Grand Parkway near Interstate 45 on Nov. 12. The section of the Grand Parkway from U.S. 290 to Interstate 45 is expected to open next month. Take a closer look at just how enormous the completed Grand Parkway will be. less Crews install a barricade on an unfinished flyover on the Grand Parkway near Interstate 45 on Nov. 12. The section of the Grand Parkway from U.S. 290 to Interstate 45 is expected to open next month. Take a ... more Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Staff Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Staff Image 1 of / 44 Caption Close Grand Parkway opening nears 1 / 44 Back to Gallery

After more than 30 years of talk, planning and construction, northwest Harris County residents will have access to their segment of the Grand Parkway in less than a month.

The tollway segments between U.S. 290 and Interstate 45 are expected to open to drivers in the first week of February, said Quincy Allen, the Houston area district engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation. Allen made the announcement at a North Houston Association luncheon, where many of the engineers, elected officials and business leaders who have waited years for the project were gathered.

Although it is behind schedule because of heavy rains last May, May, June and October, the remaining segment under construction — from I-45 to U.S. 59 near Humble — is on pace to open by the end of March, TxDOT spokeswoman Raquelle Lewis said.