The Hardy Toll Road is getting a major facelift

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- If you plan to drive the Hardy Toll Road over the next couple of months, expect delays and detours. The two-year project is giving the thoroughfare a major makeover. The 22- mile project spans from the 610 North Loop to Highway 99. From 610 to Beltway 8, you will see new lighting, striping, and new toll zones; and between 1960 and the Grand Parkway, an additional lane in each direction.

The closures will allow the Harris County Toll Road Authority to begin demolition work and pavement repairs to prepare for the conversion of the Hardy Toll Road to all-electronic tolling. The Hardy Toll Road is scheduled to EZ Tag only by June 2016, which means no cash payment will be accepted in the lanes.

Quinton Alberto, an engineer for the Harris County Toll Road Authority, knows the Hardy Toll project like the back of his hand.

"it removes the stop and go traffic, it removes the pay point from the road, and helps the overall flow the roadway," Alberto explains.

Drivers will need an EZ TAG, one of the new BancPass reloadable cash card tags, or a TxTag. At peak traffic times, 80-90% of drivers already use EZ Tag. But starting this summer, you will no longer be able to pay cash.

The project is scheduled to wrap up in the fall.