290 construction to hit landmark before holidays

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The massive project to widen the Northwest Freeway is making progress with major construction taking place this fall near the US-290 and Beltway 8 interchange.

The major goal of the project is to widen the freeway and reconstruct several ramps.

Between I-610 and Highway 6, the freeway is expanding from three lanes to four lanes in each direction.

Farther west, between Highway 6 and Highway 99, the freeway will also be widened from three to four lanes.

From Highway 99 to FM-2920, the freeway will be expanded from two to three lanes.

TxDOT is working to re-open lanes in several key areas before the holidays, including the construction zone near the Houston Premium Outlets.

"The westbound frontage road is down to one lane... we are working with the contractor to getting that open before the Thanksgiving holidays," Karen Othon, TxDOT spokesperson explained.

As for the rest of the project, construction is expected to be completed sometime in 2018.