Hardy Toll Road
Encyclopedia
The Hardy Toll Road runs from Interstate 610
, near central Houston, to Interstate 45
, north of Houston just below the Harris County
line. The road generally parallels Interstate 45. The portion from I-610 to Crosstimbers Road is known as Spur 548, although this is unsigned.
Construction on the toll road started in September 1984 and the entire road was complete by June 1988. The toll road runs 21.6 miles (34.8 km) and costs $3.00 to drive its full length ($1.50 north of Beltway 8 and $1.50 south of Beltway 8). A four-mile (6 km) connecting road to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport
requires $1.00 toll. At Hardy North and South toll booths, a 20 cent discount applies to electronic EZ TAG
users.
The road is named for nearby Hardy Street, which makes up the frontage roads for the toll road in two locations: (1) between Spring Railroad Yard and FM 1960 and (2) Greens Road to Crosstimbers Road.
A large portion of the southern segment resembles Austin's Mopac Expressway in that an active line of the Union Pacific railroad runs along its median. Like other toll roads in the Houston area
, the speed limit is 65 mi/h, even inside Beltway 8.
As of November 23, 2010, construction on the Hardy Toll Road Downtown connector has still not begun, with HCTRA's website reporting the project is still under design.
County has grown quickly in recent years, the need for a northward extension is being evaluated. Originally, the plan was to construct the extension along the right of way for the railroad. However, recent growth in Oak Ridge North
will require that the Hardy Toll Road extension deviate from this right of way in places. Feasibility studies have evaluated possible routes between FM 1314 and the San Jacinto River, with the northern terminus planned to be at Loop 336. No plans for construction have yet been formulated.
. There are no mileposts along this highway.
Interstate 610 (Texas)
Interstate 610 is a freeway that forms a forty-two-mile loop around the downtown sector of city of Houston, Texas. Interstate 610, colloquially known as "The Loop", "Loop 610", "The 610 Loop", or just "610", traditionally marks the border between the inner city of Houston and its surrounding areas...
, near central Houston, to Interstate 45
Interstate 45
Interstate 45 is an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the U.S. state of Texas. It connects the cities of Dallas and Houston, continuing southeast from Houston to Galveston over the Galveston Causeway to the Gulf of Mexico...
, north of Houston just below the Harris County
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
line. The road generally parallels Interstate 45. The portion from I-610 to Crosstimbers Road is known as Spur 548, although this is unsigned.
Construction on the toll road started in September 1984 and the entire road was complete by June 1988. The toll road runs 21.6 miles (34.8 km) and costs $3.00 to drive its full length ($1.50 north of Beltway 8 and $1.50 south of Beltway 8). A four-mile (6 km) connecting road to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is a Class B international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59...
requires $1.00 toll. At Hardy North and South toll booths, a 20 cent discount applies to electronic EZ TAG
EZ TAG
EZ TAG is an electronic toll collection system in Houston, Texas, United States that allows motorists to pay tolls without stopping at toll booths. Motorists with the Tags are allowed to use lanes reserved exclusively for them on all Harris County Toll Road Authority roads...
users.
The road is named for nearby Hardy Street, which makes up the frontage roads for the toll road in two locations: (1) between Spring Railroad Yard and FM 1960 and (2) Greens Road to Crosstimbers Road.
A large portion of the southern segment resembles Austin's Mopac Expressway in that an active line of the Union Pacific railroad runs along its median. Like other toll roads in the Houston area
Greater Houston
Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown is a 10-county metropolitan area defined by the Office of Management and Budget. It is located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas...
, the speed limit is 65 mi/h, even inside Beltway 8.
Southward
Future plans are to extend the toll road south an additional four miles (6 km) into downtown Houston (the northern most mile marker is 25, though the current road is only 21.6 miles (34.8 km) long). In November '07 the city of Houston gave approval for street closures required to construct the connections to the downtown freeway loop. Construction will start in August 2009 with completion sometime in 2011. It is expected that the toll road will deviate from Hardy Street south of I-610 and follow Maury Street to connect with the Eastex Freeway near I-10, as part of the ramp connections have already been built.As of November 23, 2010, construction on the Hardy Toll Road Downtown connector has still not begun, with HCTRA's website reporting the project is still under design.
Northward
As the population of MontgomeryMontgomery County, Texas
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The county was created by an act of the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 14, 1837. The county was named for the town of Montgomery, Texas. In 2000, its...
County has grown quickly in recent years, the need for a northward extension is being evaluated. Originally, the plan was to construct the extension along the right of way for the railroad. However, recent growth in Oak Ridge North
Oak Ridge North, Texas
Oak Ridge North is a city in Montgomery County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,991 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Oak Ridge North is located at ....
will require that the Hardy Toll Road extension deviate from this right of way in places. Feasibility studies have evaluated possible routes between FM 1314 and the San Jacinto River, with the northern terminus planned to be at Loop 336. No plans for construction have yet been formulated.
Lane count
The following are the number of mainlanes in each direction, as of August 2008:- 3 lanes each way between Interstate 610 and Beltway 8 (northbound exit/southbound entry)
- 2 lanes each way crossing over the Beltway 8 frontage roads
- 3 lanes each way between Beltway 8 (northbound entry/southbound exit) and FM 1960
- 2 lanes each way between FM 1960 and Hardy North Toll Plaza
- 3 lanes each way between Hardy North Toll Plaza and East Louetta Road
- 2 lanes each way between East Louetta Road and Interstate 45 (northern terminus)
Exit list
The entire route is in Harris CountyHarris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
. There are no mileposts along this highway.
| Location | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | |
| Hardy Road | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | |
| Crosstimbers Road | ||
| Tidwell Road, Parker Road, Berry Road | ||
| Little York Road, Gulf Bank Road | ||
| Aldine | ||
| Toll plaza | ||
| Houston | Central Green Boulevard, Greens Road, Hardy Airport Connector – Intercontinental Airport George Bush Intercontinental Airport George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is a Class B international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59... |
|
| Rankin Road | ||
| Houston | Richey Road, East Hardy Street | |
| Westfield Westfield, Texas Westfield is an unincorporated community in Harris County, Texas, United States located along Interstate 45 and the Missouri Pacific Railroad nineteen miles north of Downtown Houston.-History:... |
||
| Spring Spring, Texas Spring, Texas is a census-designated place within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of Houston in Harris County, Texas, United States, north of Downtown Houston. The population was 54,298 at the 2010 census... |
Aldine-Westfield Road, East Louetta Road | Northbound exit and southbound entrance |
| Toll plaza | ||
| Riley Fuzzel Road | Northbound exit and southbound entrance | |
| Northgate Crossing Boulevard, Spring Crossing Boulevard | Northbound exit and southbound entrance | |
| Northbound exit and southbound entrance | ||