Project updates

1. The city of Pearland is extending Fite Road by about a half-mile from McLean Road to Veterans Drive. To date, underground utilities have been installed and the road subgrade is being laid. When completed, Fite Road will be an undivided four-lane thoroughfare with a concrete curb and gutter drainage. The project includes traffic signal improvements at the McLean Road intersection.

2.The city of Pearland is widening Bailey Road from two to four lanes from FM 1128 to Veterans Drive. The road will open to westbound traffic by late July, and closures are expected at Veterans Drive south of Bailey Road for drainage box improvements. The widening project will include raised medians and a 10-foot-wide pedestrian walkway upon completion.

Completed Projects

3. Pearland Parkway intersection improvements A second left-turn lane was added on the southbound lanes of Pearland Parkway at the intersection with FM 518. Once the new curb is installed by late July, the left-turn lane will be open to the public.

Timeline: May-July Cost: $235,180 Funding source: city of Pearland

New Projects

Industrial Drive improvements Texas Department of Transportation will widen Hwy. 35 to add northbound and southbound left-turn lanes at Industrial Drive. The lanes come after the city spent $831,000 to realign the intersection.

Timeline: July-December Cost: $261,916 Funding source: TxDOT


How it worksHow it works

Who builds roads around new developments?

As rapid development continues around the state, the Texas Department of Transportation and local entities create public-private partnerships to build roads around new developments.

Developers often approach TxDOT about building roadways that connect to their businesses or improving nearby traffic lights, TxDOT spokesperson Danny Perez said. If the project also improves traffic flow, the two entities enter an agreement with the developer contributing a portion or all of the costs of the project.

Perez said developers have funded a number of transportation projects—even a $2 million ramp reversal on I-45 in Galveston County two years ago. 

Developers can also build roads themselves. The company would need to submit its plan to TxDOT—or whichever entity owns the roadway it would connect to—for approval. The developer would retain the right of way in this case.

After the road is built, the developer has the option to return the right of way to TxDOT or another entity for long-term maintenance of the road.