Pearland aims for construction on the $52 million project to begin in June 2024, said Skipper Jones, Pearland assistant director of capital projects, in an email. The project has been environmentally cleared and is inching its way toward final design, he said.
“There was a design phase delay due to Harris County Flood Control District’s proposed widening [and] realignment of Clear Creek project,” Jones said in the email. “However, HCFCD has delayed their construction start for several years, allowing the Mykawa Road project to progress as designed.”
The Mykawa Road project will widen about 3 miles from Beltway 8 to Broadway Street from two lanes to four. Additionally, the project includes upgrades for storm sewers, detention, traffic signals, and the addition of bridges over Hickory Slough and Clear Creek, Jones said.
The project will also add a 10-foot-wide path that will support both pedestrians and bicycles along the stretch of road.
“The project is scheduled to begin [its] bid phase in April 2024 and start construction in June 2024,” Jones said. “Construction management and administration duties will be completed by [the Texas Department of Transportation].”
The $52 million cost is split between $34.35 million in federal funds and $17.73 million in city funds.
Once construction begins, commuters in the area can expect delays as projects such as the Mykawa Road widening are usually done by constructing one side of the road at a time, Jones said.
Once completed, the project will not only make traveling down Mykawa Road more convenient, but it will also provide residents with an additional public safety route, Jones said.
“The improvements will better accommodate the truck traffic and improve safety throughout the corridor for the combined industrial traffic and commuter traffic,” Jones said. “Once [complete], Mykawa Road will also serve ... as an evacuation route during times of evacuation.”
