290: the next Katy Freeway?

The Chron's Nancy Sarnoff reported yesterday that about 700 properties will be affected along Highway 290 and Hempstead Road when TxDOT begins acquiring land to expand the two highways in a few years. Highway 290 is slated to be rebuilt between Loop 610 and FM 2920, while a tollway or HOV lane is planned along Hempstead Road. Real estate appraiser Mark Sikes told Sarnoff that the move will mostly affect commercial properties — which isn't much of a surprise, since that's most of what lines both roads. "It's going to be just like I-10," Sikes said, referring to the swath of commercial properties that have been wiped out by the Katy Freeway reconstruction. We're sure business owners along 290 can't wait.

According to the TxDOT website, the state is beginning an environmental impact study and schematic design for the proposed project, which will look at several different highway configuration including HOV lanes, toll lanes and bus or rail rapid transit lines. TxDOT won't begin acquiring land until around 2008, with actual construction beginning sometime after that.