Sam Houston Ship Channel Bridge

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On May 5, 1994, the Jesse Jones Toll Bridge, now called the Sam Houston Tollway Ship Channel Bridge, was acquired from the Texas Turnpike Authority (TTA) and integrated into the Harris County Toll Road Authority system. The terms and conditions of the purchase were negotiated and approved by the board of directors of TTA and the Sam Houston Parkway Transportation Corporation, a non-profit corporation established by the County in 1992 for the purpose of facilitating the transfer of the Bridge. Harris County's purchase of the Bridge was accomplished through the sale of a series of bonds in the amount of approximately $225 million, which were part of the toll road bond authorization approved by Harris County voters in 1983. At the time of the transfer, arrangements were made to pay off all existing TTA debt on the Bridge, with the only debt remaining being the County's newly-issued bonds.

With the acquisition of the Ship Channel Bridge, a major obstacle to further development of the Sam Houston Tollway's east and southern sections was removed. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) authorized Harris County to construct more than 32 miles of additional toll road, from SH 225 to US 59 South, donating right-of-way with an estimated value of $83 million. TxDOT has also provided interchanges at SH-3 and I-45 South and the eastern portion of the interchange at US-59 South at a cost to the State of approximately $120 million.

The Harris County Toll Road Authority also negotiated an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), TxDOT and Harris County, to provide $90 million in federal funds for the project, which came about as a result of the 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). This toll project was one of the first to be granted funds under this Act and the first to start construction.

The 4.25 miles roadway opened to traffic in May of 1982.