1. Cane Island Parkway project
Two lanes of concrete road will be constructed on Cane Island Parkway across Willow Fork to FM 1463, including a new bridge and channel improvements to reduce flooding. Construction began July 10 with clearing of the right of way. A retaining wall will be needed on the road’s east side to prevent dirt from spilling into Willow Fork Creek. The intersection of FM 1463 and Willow Bend will move to connect with Cane Island Parkway. The project will provide a new connection from FM 1463 to a new overpass interchange on I-10.
Timeline: July 2017-March 2018
Cost: $9 million
Funding sources: Fort Bend County, city of Katy, Ventana Development
2. Westpark Tollway extension/ FM 1093 widening
Phase 1 of the project runs from Grand Parkway to FM 1463 and is on schedule. The contractor will pave the main toll lanes and complete signal installation over the next two to three months. Main toll lanes should be open to traffic by the end of the year, weather permitting. Phase 2 of the tollway’s extension runs from FM 1463 to James Lane and bids are being accepted by Fort Bend County as of July 24. Construction expected to begin in September and is planned to last 14 months. FM 1093 will ultimately be a two-lane frontage road in each direction and the Westpark Tollway will ultimately be extended to west of the Cross Creek Ranch development in Fulshear. The tollway will include four lanes and an overpass will be built above the intersection of Katy-Gaston Road and Spring Green Boulevard.
Timeline: February 2016-February 2018
Cost: $3 million
Funding sources: Fort Bend County Assistance District 1, Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority, Emergency Services District 100, TxDOT
3. Downtown Katy Plaza
Street and sidewalk renovations around the future plaza next to Katy City Hall began as part of Phase 2 work in late June. Street paving and partial road closures are ongoing. Second and Third streets changed to one-way between Avenue D and East Avenue in June.
Timeline: January-September 2017
Cost: $3 million
Funding source: city of Katy
4. Franz Road expansion
Franz Road west of Avenue D is being expanded to a four-lane concrete boulevard. Franz Road will be extended from its northern intersection with Avenue D and join with the existing roadway near the Cane Island master-planned community.
Timeline: October 2016-summer 2018
5. Morton Road widening
A 1-mile section of Morton Road between Katy Hockley Cut Off and Katy Hockley roads in the city of Katy is being widened from two to four lanes of concrete-paved road. Crews installed a 5-by-6-foot box culvert through the intersection of Morton and Katy-Hockley roads, in order provide drainage for Morton Road west of Katy Hockley Road and for Brant Street in Hunters Terrace. Paving is scheduled to be complete by late July.
Timeline: December 2015-summer 2017
How it works
Who builds roads around new developments?[/caption]Who builds roads around new developments?
As rapid development continues statewide, the Texas Department of Transportation and local entities create public-private partnerships to build roads around new developments.
If a project improves traffic flow, entities typically enter an agreement with the developer contributing to the project costs, TxDOT spokesperson Danny Perez said.
The developer would need plan approval from TxDOT—or whichever entity owns the connecting roadway. After construction, the developer can return the right of way to TxDOT or another entity for road maintenance, he said.
