After more than four years of construction, work on a $128.2 million project to widen FM 1960 in the Lake Houston area is expected to wrap up in April, officials with the Texas Department of Transportation confirmed March 18.
The overview
In late 2021, road work began on a two-part project that widened FM 1960 from a four-lane asphalt roadway to a six-lane divided concrete roadway. TxDOT Public Information Officer Bambi Hall said the project consists of a raised median, curbs and gutters, channelized left-turn lanes and 5-foot sidewalks on both sides of the roadway.
Segment A—a $58.2 million project—runs from Business FM 1960 to east of Twigsworth Lane, while Segment B—a $70 million project—continues to the western approach of the McKay Bridge at Lake Houston.
Hall said work on Segment B wrapped up in December, and that all lanes within Segment A will be open by March 23. She noted work on remaining punch-list items should be finished by the end of April.
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Ray Hernandez, CEO and president of Partnership Lake Houston, said while the project was necessary for the area, construction has caused some difficulties for businesses along FM 1960.
“Construction, while needed, obviously causes some challenges for the businesses, their clients and people just passing through the area,” Hernandez said. “However, it’s going to improve and elevate the experience of those who live, work, travel and thrive in the area.”
A closer look
TxDOT data shows traffic has remained relatively stable throughout the project. From 2021 to 2024, traffic counts at Moonshine Hill Road and FM 1960 increased by roughly 1.6%—rising from a daily average of 45,054 motorists in 2021 to 45,793 motorists in 2024.
“Sometimes just the perception of traffic might cause some challenges,” Hernandez said.
Prior to the start of construction, traffic steadily increased along the roadway, rising from 39,125 average daily motorists in 2014 to a peak of 51,189 in 2018—a nearly 31% increase, TxDOT data shows.
Why it matters
Despite traffic remaining relatively consistent along the roadway, Hernandez said many of the businesses he’s spoken with have struggled throughout stretches of the project.
Kanga’s Indoor Play Center owner Megan Styron said her business’ location at the intersection of FM 1960 and Timber Forest Drive has made it easier for patrons to access her business, but she said she still believes some motorists are avoiding the roadway.
“[Traffic is] heavy west of us … so anybody coming from the front of Kingwood or New Caney to get to us would struggle or be afraid to come because of that,” Styron said.
H-E-B Store Director Thomas Theriot said his store, located near the intersection of FM 1960 and West Lake Houston Parkway, lost business early in the construction process. However, he said he’s seen an increase in customers since construction largely wrapped up near his store.
“The streets were a mess, and nobody wanted to mess with us, so [customers] deselected the store,” Theriot said. “As soon as construction eased, it picked back up.”
What’s next
Hernandez said he believes many of the businesses along FM 1960 will be poised for success once construction wraps up.
“I think there’s a better sense of ease and safety for those businesses that have weathered [the project],” Hernandez said. “I believe they’ll see some uptick in business that will maybe cause them to expand their offerings as well.”
While work on the FM 1960 widening project will be largely complete by the end of March, TxDOT officials said several punch list items will need to be completed throughout April, which commonly include:
Repairing pavement cracks or uneven surfacesFinalizing pavement markingsFinishing sidewalk work