The Texas Department of Transportation is in the early stages of planning a project that would extend State Highway 249 in Harris County to connect with Highway 6 in Grimes County.

The proposed map places the Highway 249 exit near the current Highway 105 exit in Navasota, and the new highway already has a nickname. People are calling it the "Aggie Highway", because it will connect Houston to Aggieland.

Keith Smith sells industrial lubricants in College Station, but he says Houston is where many of his customers are.

“I make the drive probably three or four times a week,” said Smith, owner of Keith Smith Enterprises.

That's why he's in favor of building an Aggie Highway, and Smith says many of his friends would be too.

“I know people who are moving farther northwest out in that area just to have a more quiet lifestyle. But they still have to make that trip into work,” said Smith.

Texas Department of Transportation officials tell News 3 they're moving forward with plans for the new highway, because the population and development in Bryan/College Station and Waco have grown recently.

TXDOT officials say roadwork will probably start in the next 2-5 years.
“Where ever it goes it will affect people, so right now we're working to form a working group of individuals from the counties and cities that will be affected by the project,” said Mark Cross, Texas Department of Transportation Information Specialist.

Keith Smith says he would be affected by the project in a good way.

“If it would save me time and save me on the cost of fuel, Yes it would be a huge benefit for me,” said Smith.

There are private properties on the proposed highway route, so TXDOT encourages people to talk to their elected officials if they feel strongly about where the road should or should not go.