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{{short description|State highway in Texas}}
{{Infobox road
{{Infobox road
|state=TX
|state=TX
|type=SH
|type=SH
|route=242
|route=242
|map=Texas 242 map.svg
|map={{maplink-road|from=Texas State Highway 242.map}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=SH 242, highlighted in red
|length_mi=21.633
|length_mi=21.633
|length_ref=<ref name="State Highway 242">{{TxDOT|SH|242|accessdate=2008-04-04}}</ref>
|length_ref=<ref name="State Highway 242">{{TxDOT|SH|242|accessdate=2008-04-04}}</ref>
Line 23: Line 26:


==Route description==
==Route description==
SH 242 begins at [[Farm to Market Road 1488|FM&nbsp;1488]] in The Woodlands.<ref name="Mapbook 560">{{Texas Mapbook|560|accessdate=2011-11-25}}</ref> The roadway, also known locally as College Park Drive, curves to the southeast and passes to the south of W. G. Jones State Forest. It then turns to the east and crosses [[Interstate 45|I-45]] in the southern outskirts of [[Conroe, Texas|Conroe]]. The route continues to the east, crossing [[Farm to Market Road 1314|FM&nbsp;1314]] and [[Farm to Market Road 1485|FM&nbsp;1485]], before reaching its eastern terminus at [[Interstate 69 in Texas|I-69]]&nbsp;/ [[U.S. Route 59 in Texas|US&nbsp;59]] in Patton Village.<ref name="Mapbook 580">{{Texas Mapbook|580|accessdate=2011-11-25}}</ref>
SH 242 begins at [[Farm to Market Road 1488|FM&nbsp;1488]] in The Woodlands.<ref name="Mapbook 560">{{Texas Mapbook|560|accessdate=2011-11-25}}</ref> The highway, also known locally as College Park Drive, curves to the southeast and passes to the south of W. G. Jones State Forest. It then turns to the east and crosses [[Interstate 45|I-45]] in the southern outskirts of [[Conroe, Texas|Conroe]]. East of I-45, the highway is also known locally as Needham Road until its intersection with Lexington Drive, where Needham Road turns north towards the [[San Jacinto River (Texas)|San Jacinto River]]. The route continues to the east, crossing [[Farm to Market Road 1314|FM&nbsp;1314]] and [[Farm to Market Road 1485|FM&nbsp;1485]], before reaching its eastern terminus at [[Interstate 69 in Texas|I-69]]&nbsp;/ [[U.S. Route 59 in Texas|US&nbsp;59]] in Patton Village.<ref name="Mapbook 580">{{Texas Mapbook|580|accessdate=2011-11-25}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
'''SH 242''' was originally designated on December 22, 1936 as a route from [[Texas State Highway 6|SH 6]] at or near [[Hempstead, TX|Hempstead]] to [[Texas State Highway 38|SH 38]] (now SH 6) at or near [[Sugar Land, Texas|Sugar Land]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publicdocs.txdot.gov/minord/MinuteOrderDocLib/003673889.pdf|title=Minutes of the December 21, 1936 State Highway Commission meeting}}</ref> This route was deleted on September 26, 1939, as it became part of SH 6. SH 242 was designated between [[Interstate 45|I-45]] and [[U.S. Route 59 in Texas|US 59]] (now dual-signed as [[Interstate 69 in Texas|I-69]]/US&nbsp;59) on May 22, 1985. The westward extension to [[Farm to Market Road 1488|FM 1488]] was designated on May 29, 1986.<ref name="State Highway 242"/>
An earlier SH 242 was designated by 1938 as a route from [[Cleburne, TX|Cleburne]] to [[Meridian, TX|Meridian]]. This route was deleted by 1939, but was restored in 1940, with an accidental designation of [[Texas State Highway 353]] (TXDOT meant to designate this road as SH 242).

SH 242 was designated between [[Interstate 45|I-45]] and [[U.S. Route 59 in Texas|US 59]] (now dual-signed as [[Interstate 69 in Texas|I-69]]/US&nbsp;59) in 1985. The westward extension to [[Farm to Market Road 1488|FM 1488]] opened in 1994.<ref name="State Highway 242"/> Two direct-connect flyover ramps connecting SH 242 westbound to southbound I-45 and northbound I-45 to westbound SH 242 were constructed in 2015. The flyovers are [[toll bridge|toll]]ed ramps, using [[electronic toll collection]] tags and no cash, that were opened to the public around May 11, 2015, and were toll-free until July 6, 2015, when the [[Harris County Toll Road Authority]] (HCTRA) began collecting toll fees for the [[Montgomery County Toll Road Authority]] (MCTRA) as a part of a collaboration effort between the two entities.
A pair of flyover ramps connecting SH 242 westbound to southbound I-45 and northbound I-45 to westbound SH 242 were constructed in 2015 by the [[Montgomery County Toll Road Authority|Montgomery County Transportation Program]] (MCTP). The flyovers were both [[toll road|tolled]], utilizing solely [[electronic toll collection]] and were opened to the public on May 11, 2015, initially toll-free. Between July 6, 2015, and May 28, 2019, the flyovers were tolled, with the [[Montgomery County Toll Road Authority]] (MCTRA) owning and maintaining the ramps while the [[Harris County Toll Road Authority]] (HCTRA) collected the toll fees. After a unanimous vote by the Montgomery County Commissioners Court, the tolls on the flyovers were lifted, with ownership and maintenance being transferred to the [[Texas Department of Transportation]] (TxDOT).<ref>{{Citation|date=May 28, 2019|accessdate=May 30, 2019|newspaper=Community Impact Newspaper|author=Jules Rogers|title=Montgomery County Commissioners unanimously remove tolls along Hwy. 242 flyovers|url=https://communityimpact.com/houston/conroe-montgomery/city-county/2019/05/28/montgomery-county-commissioners-initiate-toll-removal-along-hwy-242-flyovers/}}</ref> Another flyover ramp from northbound I-45 to eastbound SH 242 is scheduled for bidding beginning in August 2024, with construction commencing by the end of the year.<ref>{{Cite news |last = Shorten |first = Jessica |date = June 20, 2024 |title = Montgomery County approves $19.1 million for Hwy. 242 flyover construction |url = https://communityimpact.com/houston/conroe-montgomery/government/2024/06/20/montgomery-county-approves-191-million-for-hwy-242-flyover-construction/ }}</ref> This project will have an estimated cost of $19.1 Million.<ref>{{cite news |last = Thompson |first = Ben |date = April 6, 2021 |title = Eastbound, Nontolled Flyover Road from I-45 to Eastbound Hwy. 242 Enters Preconstruction Phase |url = https://communityimpact.com/houston/the-woodlands/transportation/2021/04/06/eastbound-nontolled-flyover-road-from-i-45-to-eastbound-hwy-242-enters-preconstruction-phase/ |access-date = June 5, 2023 |work = CommunityImpact.com |location = The Woodlands |publisher = [[Community Impact Newspaper]] | language = en-US }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last = Dominguez |first = Catherine |date = June 18, 2024 |title = Montgomery County Funds $19 Million Direct Connector For Texas 242 |url = https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/conroe/article/montgomery-county-texas-direct-connector-19518135.php}}</ref> Long term plans also include a [[three-level diamond interchange]] with an overpass for SH 242 through movements over I-45.<ref>{{cite news |title = Montgomery County Precinct 2 Mobility Study - Recommendations |url = https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/14a4ac0bd1d34ca39e3a686dabf37f78/page/Intersection-%26-Roadway/?data_id=dataSource_add_from_url_entry-1827f669597-layer-10%3A83 |access-date = June 5, 2023 |work = Experience.ArcGIS.com |location = The Woodlands |publisher = Houston-Galveston Area Council | language = en-US }}</ref>


==Major intersections==
==Major intersections==
{{jcttop|state=TX|county=Montgomery|length_ref=<ref name="googlemaps">{{google maps|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=TX-242+E&daddr=TX-242+E+to:TX-242+E+to:TX-242+E+to:TX-242+E&hl=en&ll=30.190541,-95.306396&spn=0.276574,0.528374&sll=30.193916,-95.189452&sspn=0.017285,0.033023&geocode=FbZDzQEdnptO-g%3BFe7szAEdEnJP-g%3BFVEDzQEdQfRQ-g%3BFU0LzQEdmiNS-g%3BFRq2zAEdS35T-g&vpsrc=6&mra=dme&mrsp=4&sz=16&t=m&z=12|title=State Highway 242|accessdate=2011-11-25}}</ref>}}
{{jcttop|state=TX|county=Montgomery|length_ref=<ref name="googlemaps">{{google maps|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=TX-242+E&daddr=TX-242+E+to:TX-242+E+to:TX-242+E+to:TX-242+E&hl=en&ll=30.190541,-95.306396&spn=0.276574,0.528374&sll=30.193916,-95.189452&sspn=0.017285,0.033023&geocode=FbZDzQEdnptO-g%3BFe7szAEdEnJP-g%3BFVEDzQEdQfRQ-g%3BFU0LzQEdmiNS-g%3BFRq2zAEdS35T-g&vpsrc=6&mra=dme&mrsp=4&sz=16&t=m&z=12|title=State Highway 242|accessdate=2011-11-25}}</ref>}}
{{TXint|location=The Woodlands|mile=0.0|road={{jct|state=TX|FM|1488|city1=Magnolia|city2=Conroe}}|notes=Western terminus}}
{{TXint|location=The Woodlands|mile=0.0|road={{jct|state=TX|FM|1488|city1=Magnolia|city2=Conroe}}|notes=Western terminus}}
{{TXint|location=Conroe|mile=4.4|road={{jct|state=TX|I|45|city1=Houston|city2=Dallas}}|notes=I-45 exit 79 southbound; 79A (Free) & 79B (Toll Ramp) northbound.}}
{{TXint|location=Conroe|lspan=2|mile=4.4|road={{jct|state=TX|I|45|city1=Houston|city2=Dallas}}|notes=I-45 exit 79 southbound; 79A & 79B northbound.}}
{{TXint|mile=4.7|road=South Trade Center Parkway|notes=Interchange<ref>[[Google]] (2020-08-03) [https://www.google.com/maps/@30.207344,-95.4555082,3a,75y,76.07h,89.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYAcxputr7xWd3PQqw8IKmg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en TX-242 Conroe, Texas] (Street View) ''[[Google Maps]]'' Retrieved 2020-08-03.</ref>}}
{{TXint|location=none|mile=10.5|road={{jct|state=TX|FM|1314|city1=Conroe|city2=Porter}}}}
{{TXint|location=none|mile=10.5|road={{jct|state=TX|FM|1314|city1=Conroe|city2=Porter}}|notes=Interchange<ref>[http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot/get-involved/hou/sh242/042519-schematic-sanjacinto-river-fm1314.pdf SH 242 Schematic from East of San Jacinto River to FM 1314] Texas Department of Transportation 2016-12-26 (Retrieved 2020-08-03)</ref><ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2134488,-95.3583086,18z SH 242 at FM 1314] ''Google Maps''. Retrieved 8 January 2021</ref>}}
{{TXint|location=none|mile=15.2|road={{jct|state=TX|FM|1485|city1=New Caney}}}}
{{TXint|location=none|mile=15.2|road={{jct|state=TX|FM|1485|city1=New Caney}}}}
{{TXint|location=Patton Village|mile=21.6|road={{jct|state=TX|I|69|US|59|city1=Houston|city2=Cleveland}}|notes=I-69/US 59 exit 161; eastern terminus}}
{{TXint|location=Patton Village|mile=21.6|road={{jct|state=TX|I|69|US|59|city1=Houston|city2=Cleveland}}|notes=I-69/US 59 exit 161; eastern terminus.}}
{{jctbtm}}
{{jctbtm}}


Latest revision as of 13:45, 20 July 2024

State Highway 242 marker
State Highway 242
Map
SH 242, highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by TxDOT
Length21.633 mi[1] (34.815 km)
Existed1985–present
Major junctions
West end FM 1488 in The Woodlands
Major intersections I-45 in Conroe
East end I-69 / US 59 in Patton Village
Location
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountiesMontgomery
Highway system
← SH 241→ SH 243

State Highway 242 (SH 242) is a Texas state highway connecting The Woodlands and Patton Village in southeast Texas.

Route description

[edit]

SH 242 begins at FM 1488 in The Woodlands.[2] The highway, also known locally as College Park Drive, curves to the southeast and passes to the south of W. G. Jones State Forest. It then turns to the east and crosses I-45 in the southern outskirts of Conroe. East of I-45, the highway is also known locally as Needham Road until its intersection with Lexington Drive, where Needham Road turns north towards the San Jacinto River. The route continues to the east, crossing FM 1314 and FM 1485, before reaching its eastern terminus at I-69 / US 59 in Patton Village.[3]

History

[edit]

SH 242 was originally designated on December 22, 1936 as a route from SH 6 at or near Hempstead to SH 38 (now SH 6) at or near Sugar Land.[4] This route was deleted on September 26, 1939, as it became part of SH 6. SH 242 was designated between I-45 and US 59 (now dual-signed as I-69/US 59) on May 22, 1985. The westward extension to FM 1488 was designated on May 29, 1986.[1]

A pair of flyover ramps connecting SH 242 westbound to southbound I-45 and northbound I-45 to westbound SH 242 were constructed in 2015 by the Montgomery County Transportation Program (MCTP). The flyovers were both tolled, utilizing solely electronic toll collection and were opened to the public on May 11, 2015, initially toll-free. Between July 6, 2015, and May 28, 2019, the flyovers were tolled, with the Montgomery County Toll Road Authority (MCTRA) owning and maintaining the ramps while the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) collected the toll fees. After a unanimous vote by the Montgomery County Commissioners Court, the tolls on the flyovers were lifted, with ownership and maintenance being transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).[5] Another flyover ramp from northbound I-45 to eastbound SH 242 is scheduled for bidding beginning in August 2024, with construction commencing by the end of the year.[6] This project will have an estimated cost of $19.1 Million.[7][8] Long term plans also include a three-level diamond interchange with an overpass for SH 242 through movements over I-45.[9]

Major intersections

[edit]

The entire route is in Montgomery County.

Locationmi[10]kmDestinationsNotes
The Woodlands0.00.0 FM 1488 – Magnolia, ConroeWestern terminus
Conroe4.47.1 I-45 – Houston, DallasI-45 exit 79 southbound; 79A & 79B northbound.
4.77.6South Trade Center ParkwayInterchange[11]
​10.516.9 FM 1314 – Conroe, PorterInterchange[12][13]
​15.224.5 FM 1485 – New Caney
Patton Village21.634.8 I-69 / US 59 – Houston, ClevelandI-69/US 59 exit 161; eastern terminus.
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "State Highway No. 242". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  2. ^ Transportation Planning and Programming Division (2012). Texas County Mapbook (PDF) (Map) (2012 ed.). 1:120,000. Texas Department of Transportation. p. 560. OCLC 867856197. Retrieved 2011-11-25.[dead link‍]
  3. ^ Transportation Planning and Programming Division (2012). Texas County Mapbook (PDF) (Map) (2012 ed.). 1:120,000. Texas Department of Transportation. p. 580. OCLC 867856197. Retrieved 2011-11-25.[dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Minutes of the December 21, 1936 State Highway Commission meeting" (PDF).
  5. ^ Jules Rogers (May 28, 2019), "Montgomery County Commissioners unanimously remove tolls along Hwy. 242 flyovers", Community Impact Newspaper, retrieved May 30, 2019
  6. ^ Shorten, Jessica (June 20, 2024). "Montgomery County approves $19.1 million for Hwy. 242 flyover construction".
  7. ^ Thompson, Ben (April 6, 2021). "Eastbound, Nontolled Flyover Road from I-45 to Eastbound Hwy. 242 Enters Preconstruction Phase". CommunityImpact.com. The Woodlands: Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  8. ^ Dominguez, Catherine (June 18, 2024). "Montgomery County Funds $19 Million Direct Connector For Texas 242".
  9. ^ "Montgomery County Precinct 2 Mobility Study - Recommendations". Experience.ArcGIS.com. The Woodlands: Houston-Galveston Area Council. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  10. ^ "State Highway 242" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  11. ^ Google (2020-08-03) TX-242 Conroe, Texas (Street View) Google Maps Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  12. ^ SH 242 Schematic from East of San Jacinto River to FM 1314 Texas Department of Transportation 2016-12-26 (Retrieved 2020-08-03)
  13. ^ SH 242 at FM 1314 Google Maps. Retrieved 8 January 2021
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Texas_State_Highway_242&oldid=1235660025"