Transportation updates Transportation updates[/caption]

1. Friendswood roadway improvements
The first street in a group of repavement projects is complete, according to city of Friendswood officials. The repaving of Shadowbend Avenue, which had more than 1,200 feet of its surface replaced, was completed in July. Townes Road is also undergoing repavement construction. Townes Road is about 35 percent complete, officials said. Mary Ann Drive and Winding Road will also have portions of roadway repaved as part of the project. Mary Ann Drive is under construction, and the project is about 2 percent complete.Friendswood residents approved a bond referendum in 2013 to fund the repaving of these streets, which were grouped together for one contract. City Council awarded the construction contract to Houston-based El Dorado Paving Company on Dec. 7. Once the repavement of Townes Road is complete, the contractor will begin work on Winding Road.


1A. Mary Ann Drive will have 16,001 feet of its roadway replaced.
1B. Shadowbend Avenue will have 1,224 feet of its roadway replaced.
1C. Townes Road will have 786 feet of its roadway replaced.
1D. Winding Road will have 2,133 feet of its roadway replaced.
Timeline: March 2016-first quarter 2017
Cost: $2.5 million
Funding sources: city of Friendswood, Texas Department of Transportation


2. Fite Road extension
The city of Pearland project to extend Fite Road is entering the construction phase. After being delayed in summer 2015, the project received funding as part of Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Transportation Improvement Program. The project went to bid in July, and construction is expected to begin in October, officials said. The project will extend Fite Road approximately 0.46 miles from McLean Road to Veterans Drive in an effort to improve traffic flow and provide an additional route for emergency vehicles. The new stretch of roadway will be four lanes, undivided with concrete curb and gutter drainage. The project includes traffic signal improvements at the McLean Road intersection.
Timeline: October 2016-October 2017
Cost: $4 million
Funding sources: H-GAC, city of Pearland


3. Bailey Road widening
As part of the city of Pearland project to expand Bailey Road, Veterans Drive will be closed until late September, officials said. The city closed Veterans Drive south of Bailey Road on July 25, and drivers must take Wellborne Road to Williams Road as a detour. All properties on Veterans Drive will be accessible during construction, officials said. The project also caused the closure of Berry Road at Bailey Road. Drivers are to take McLean Road to Amie Lane. The Bailey Road project will widen the thoroughfare from two to four lanes from FM 1128 to Veterans Drive. The project, which is expected to ease east-west traffic congestion, will also include raised medians and a 10-foot-wiide pedestrian walkway on the north side of Bailey Road. H-GAC awarded funding for the project as part of its 2013 Transportation Improvement Plan.
Timeline: September 2015-September 2017
Cost: $21.3 million
Funding sources: H-GAC, city of Pearland


4. Friendswood Link
Road widening

The expansion of Friendswood Link Road from FM 518 to Blackhawk Boulevard is nearing completion, officials said. City Council is expected to accept completion of the project at its October meeting. The project, which will provide an improved emergency evacuation route out of the city, received funding from a Texas General Land Office disaster recovery grant in the wake of Hurricane Ike in 2008. Friendswood Link widened from two to three lanes from FM 518 to Hibiscus Lane. From Hibiscus Lane to Blackhawk Boulevard, the road expanded from two to four lanes with medians.
Timeline: fall 2014-September 2016
Cost: $5.3 million
Funding sources: Texas General Land Office grant, city of Friendswood