TxDOT representative Ian McBride gave a virtual presentation March 1 on the proposed change. The project is a part of an ongoing bigger program to improve Hwy. 288 from Hwy. 59 near downtown Houston to CR 60 in Brazoria County, McBride said.
After more detailed engineering design and drainage studies, a change was proposed to construct a two-lane southbound frontage road north of Rodeo Palms Parkway to just north of Hwy. 6, McBride said.
Additionally, it would include the construction of one stormwater detention pond northwest of Hwy. 288 and Rodeo Palms Parkway and three detention swales between the southbound frontage road and main lanes, according to McBride’s presentation. The frontage road would be within the right of way TxDOT already owns for the project, McBride added.
The proposed project is consistent with the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s long-range 2045 Regional Transportation plan, McBride said. If approved, the $38 million frontage road project would be funded by federal and state sources, McBride said.
Following the public comment period, TxDOT will finalize design and environmental documentation, which is expected to take three months, he said. TxDOT will receive public comments on this project until March 18, McBride said.
TxDOT is in the process of identifying any potential negative effects to the area, McBride said, which include biological, community and water impacts as well as air quality and traffic noise effects. A residential area near Rodeo Palms Parkway could be eligible for a noise barrier, he said.
After that, TxDOT will request the change’s approval. Construction is expected to begin in late 2022 and will take 2 1/2 years to complete, McBride said.
Completed projects
FM 521 project
The Texas Department of Transportation oversaw the widening of a four-lane divided thoroughfare near the westside of Pearland along FM 521 between the Beltway 8 and FM 2234. Additionally, the project also involved work at the Union Pacific Corp. railroad crossing along FM 2234, TxDOT Public Information Officer Danny Perez said.
Timeline: February 2018-March 2022
Cost: $34.57 million
Funding sources: federal and state funds
