History
Segment B-1 is a portion of the SH 99 Grand Parkway, a planned outer loop around the Greater Houston area, originally conceived in the early 1960s to improve regional mobility and provide an alternative to existing highways. The full system is divided into multiple segments that have been developed over time based on planning timelines and funding. Several segments of the loop have already been constructed, while others remain in planning and development phases. Segment B-1 is entering construction as part of the ongoing effort to complete the Grand Parkway system and improve connectivity across the growing Houston region.
Segment B is a proposed, environmentally approved, 28-mile, four-lane, controlled access toll road with discontinuous frontage roads from I-45 South (the Gulf Freeway) in League City toward SH 35 in Alvin and on to SH 288 (the South Freeway) near Rosharon through Galveston and Brazoria counties. Environmental clearance was granted with a Record of Decision issued in November 2016, allowing the project to advance toward implementation. An environmental re-evaluation was later performed in 2023.
- On Feb. 7, 2023, TxDOT executed Toll Project Agreements with Brazoria and Galveston counties, respectively, that provide for TxDOT to develop, finance, construct, and operate a portion of Segment B, known as B-1, from I-45 to south of FM 2403.
- In January 2024, the Texas Transportation Commission assigned the rights to develop, finance, construct, and operate the portion known as B-1 to the Grand Parkway Transportation Corporation (GTPC), and on Feb. 27, 2024, the GPTC Board accepted B-1 into the GPTC System.
- On April 24, 2025, the Texas Transportation Commission, in Minute Order 116930, authorized the issuance of a request for proposals (RFP) to the shortlisted teams for the design, construction, and maintenance of the SH 99 Grand Parkway Segment B-1 Design-Build Project in Galveston and Brazoria counties.
- On April 30, 2026, the Texas Transportation Commission approved the proposal submitted by Ferrovial Construction-Webber 99 as the apparent best value to the department.
- On June 22 and 24, 2026, financial public hearings will be held in Galveston and Brazoria counties to gather public comment on the project’s public financial disclosure. Completing the public hearings authorizes the department to negotiate and finalize the DB Contract (DBC) and the corresponding capital maintenance contract (CMC) with the apparent best value proposer to design, construct, and maintain the project.
- In mid-July 2026, the DBC is expected to be executed.
Segment B-1 addresses growing congestion, strengthens regional connections, and improves safety and evacuation capacity for Brazoria and Galveston counties.
The SH 99 Grand Parkway Segment B-1 Project is needed due to:
- Traffic demand that exceeds capacity on existing roadways
- Limited east–west connectivity between I-45, SH 35, and future SH 288
- Rapid population and development growth in the corridor
- Insufficient evacuation routes for coastal communities
The core purpose of Segment B-1 is to:
- Enhance mobility and safety·
- Improve regional connectivity
- Support economic growth and development
- Provide an additional evacuation route
Since approval of the SH 99 Segment B Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) in 2016 and the Record of Decision (ROD), the project has advanced through ongoing design development and environmental re-evaluations. These re-evaluations, most recently approved in 2025, confirmed that the project remains consistent with the originally approved alternative.
As design has progressed, refinements have been made to the project layout and features to address engineering considerations and coordination with existing infrastructure. These refinements include updates to roadway geometry, interchanges, and drainage features within the approved corridor.
Right-of-way and environmental commitments are being implemented in accordance with the approved environmental documentation and applicable regulations.