Missouri City corridor enhancements
Missouri City has begun landscaping enhancements along Texas Parkway and Cartwright Road. These enhancements, which began in January, are Phase 1 in a three-part project that will occur over the next two years, said Shashi Kumar, Missouri City’s public works director.Median enhancements on Texas Parkway will be from Court Road to Turtle Creek, and the enhancements on Cartwright Road will stretch from Murphy Road to Texas Parkway. Texas Department of Transportation grants are funding this phase of construction, which is estimated to cost approximately $1 million and be complete by fall 2020.
“Over the past several years, Council has placed a high priority on the redevelopment of Texas Parkway, including bringing new commercial enterprises to the corridor and enhancing beautification along the gateway thoroughfare," Missouri City City Manager Anthony Snipes said in an email. "This specific project is vital to our growth as it will help to spearhead the economic development and redevelopment of Texas Parkway.”
Phase 2 of the project will include the installation of reader signs and monuments at key entry and exit points to the city. This phase is projected to cost Missouri City $600,000, and the city hopes to begin construction in late 2020.
Lastly, Phase 3 will create a “red carpet” entry to the City Hall complex with improved landscaping. The city expects this project to cost more than $1 million and is still in the initial design phase.
The city’s budget for the second and third phases is $2.5 million, and while the cost of the project plus engineering fees is currently $180,000 under budget, Kumar said they are not adding to the current plan because contractor’s rate have been coming in higher than expected.
ONGOING PROJECTS
Hwy. 6 road wideningThe project to widen Hwy. 6 from six lanes to eight lanes between Lexington Boulevard and Brooks Street is still 10% complete. The project aims to increase traffic flow and efficiency by extending turn lanes, modifying medians and adjusting current lane assignments.
Timeline: January 2019-December 2020
Cost: $12.1 million
Funding sources: city of Sugar Land, TxDOT, Fort Bend County
UPCOMING PROJECTS
Knight Road extensionThis project in Missouri City will connect two existing segments of Knight Road so it extends from the Fort Bend Toll Road to McKeever Road. Structural engineering firm Kelly R. Kaluza & Associates Inc. is almost finished with the design phase. However, the project has been delayed due to a right of way acquisition issue. Pending resolution of the issue, construction is expected to begin in the fall.
Timeline: fall 2020-late 2021
Cost: $6 million
Funding sources: city of Missouri City, Fort Bend County Mobility Bond Program
Waterfall Drive reconstruction Waterfall Drive in Missouri City will be completely reconstructed from its new connection point at the now completed Independence Boulevard extension to its southern end near Long Rock Drive. RG Miller, Inc. is finishing the final design phase. Construction—which was expected to bid in fall 2019—will now bid in spring 2020 and will take approximately one year to complete.
Timeline: summer 2020-summer 2021
Cost: $1.4 million
Funding source: city of Missouri City
Chimney Rock Road extension Fort Bend County has not yet begun construction on a project to connect existing portions of Chimney Rock Road. Although construction was expected to start in late 2019, county officials are now targeting late spring 2020 to begin working on the project. Once completed, Chimney Rock Road will connect from Rosa Parks Elementary School in Fresno to FM 2234 in Houston.
Timeline: late spring 2020-fall 2021
Cost: $11.7 million
Funding source: Fort Bend County
