The Sugar Land City Council approved a $500,000 contract with Brown & Gay Engineering to design the third phase of the expansion of Hwy. 6 from Brooks Street to Lexington Boulevard at its July 7 meeting.

The approved contract encompasses a number of factors, including roadway design, a cost estimate for construction and a detailed construction schedule. The design phase will also identify any needed drainage improvements, utility relocation, landscaping, and traffic signal, signage and pavement markings. Completion of the design phase is expected next year.

“State Hwy. 6 is a major arterial road for Sugar Land and provides connectivity throughout Fort Bend County,” Sugar Land City Engineer Chris Steubing said. “The project is intended to address operational and geometric deficiencies, and relieve traffic congestion along the corridor.”

The Hwy. 6 expansion project calls for the roadway to be widened to four lanes in each direction between Brooks and Lexington.

City officials said the current roadway does not support existing or future traffic volumes, and the expansion is needed to accommodate the additional motorists brought on by the development of additional activity centers, such as the outdoor festival site and the Smart Financial Centre.

“Providing connectivity between attractions such as Sugar land Town Square, Constellation Field and others is important as Sugar Land continues to emerge as a destination location for tourists,” said Doug Adolph, assistant communications director for Sugar Land. “The project will help support Sugar Land’s expanding sales tax base and improve mobility for residents.”

The projected construction and right of way costs for the third phase of the Hwy. 6 expansion are estimated at $7.6 million. The city has applied for federal funding to cover 80 percent of the project’s cost. The remaining 20 percent of funding for the project would come from local funding, with 50 percent of the local funding already earmarked in Fort Bend County’s 2013 mobility bond package.