Vehicles pass through a toll gate on Tomball Parkway, also known as Texas 249, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.
Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer
Drivers in the Houston region will pay more to use some toll roads in 2026.
The Harris County Toll Road Authority provides toll tag account management and customer service to toll road portions in Montgomery, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties through interlocal agreements.
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The annual adjustment is triggered by a county’s Toll Rate Order, which requires tolls to rise by at least 2% or match federal inflation figures for the Houston region, whichever is higher, according to documents from Montgomery, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties. Inflation rose 1.1% this year, prompting the minimum 2% hike.
While the rate increase is built in to the agreement, county commissioners still have to approve the new rates each year.
The rate increases range from a penny to about 20 cents for the Texas 249 Tollway in Montgomery County, the Westpark Tollway in Fort Bend County and the 288 Expressway in Brazoria County. The rates are based on the number of axles and the time of day.
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The new rates will be effective Jan. 1.
Texas 249 Tollway
The Texas 249 Toll Road, which runs from the Spring Creek bridge to Pinehurst will see rate increases ranging from .1 cent to .20 cents, depending on number of axles.
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For 2-axle vehicles — which includes most standard passenger cars — the new rates will be:
Decker Plaza Mainlane northbound and southbound Passthrough
Increasing from $1.54 to $1.57
Hardin Store Road northbound and southbound Entrance
Increasing from 61 cents to 62 cents.
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Hardin Store Road northbound exit
Increasing from 61 cents to 62 cents.
288 Expressway – Brazoria County
Croix Mainlane northbound and southbound, EZ Tag only
Increasing from $1.09 to $1.15
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McHard Mainlane northbound and southbound, EZ Tag only
Increasing from $1.86 to $1.96
Westpark Tollway
FM 1463 Plaza
Increasing from 82 cents to 84 cents
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County-managed stretch of Grand Parkway
Increasing from 46 cents to 47 cents
Fort Bend Parkway
Fondren Plaza toll will increase from 75 cents to 77 cents
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‘No issue’ with rate hikes, resident says
Steve Wischoff, a resident of Cinco Ranch in Katy, said he had “no issue” with the rate hikes for toll roads.
“We who travel those roads want adequate funding to keep them in tip-top condition with smooth pavement, up-to-date signage, good road striping,” Wischoff said. “Since the tollways are relatively new and require minimal maintenance, hopefully the rate increases can be placed in a “Rainy Day Fund” for later use when expanded maintenance service is required.”
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Additionally, Wischoff said that, if permitted, some of the funds should increase law enforcement presence along the roadway.
“There is a need for there to be a deterrent to get speeders’ attention, especially on Westpark when traffic is light,” Wischoff said. “Speeds of 85 are not uncommon – 20 more than the posted 65 limit. Motorcyclists’ speeds can be even higher.”