The Original Expansion Plan

As far back as 1984, our community planned to expand Highway 281, section by section, on a pay-as-you-go basis.  We expanded the section from Bitters to Loop 1604 in 1989 and intended to complete the section north of Loop 1604 as money became available. 

• By 2001, transportation authorities had identified roughly $43 million in gas tax funds for improvements to 281 North, a fraction of the money needed to complete the project. Still, they moved forward in hopes that additional gas tax money would become available to complete the project.
   
• By 2003, the state highway system was too small to meet the needs of Texas drivers and gas tax revenues scarcely covered annual maintenance and repairs, which left no money for new lane construction.
   
• As a result, TxDOT established a policy that all highway improvement projects be considered for tolling and deemed the 281 North project eligible for toll lanes.

281 North currently lacks the environmental clearance necessary for any highway expansion.