Friendswood City Council unanimously passed a resolution registering its support for the Texas Department of Transportation’s construction of Segments A and B of the Grand Parkway on July 11. It joins League City and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership in supporting the project.
Segment A of the Grand Parkway would run through Galveston County from SH 146 near San Leon to I-45 in League City. However, it is not currently considered a viable project, according to TxDOT’s website. Segment B would connect Hwy. 288 in Brazoria County to I-45 in League City.
The city noted that Segment B in particular would serve as an “essential” evacuation route, a means to reduce regional traffic congestion, and support economic development in Galveston and Brazoria counties, according to agenda documents.
In the resolution, the council encouraged TxDOT to fast-track the development and implementation of construction for Segment A and ensure no segments of the Grand Parkway are removed from the agency’s Unified Transportation Program.
Grand Parkway adds a third loop to Houston’s highway system, joining Hwy. 610 and Beltway 8. Most of the Grand Parkway is complete, but progress on Segments A, B and C of the Grand Parkway have stalled at the state level, according to agenda documents.
Friendswood originally approved a resolution supporting the construction in November 2002. The city, along with other municipalities and counties in the Houston area, have paid toward the expansion and want to see a return on their investment, according to agenda documents.
