The big picture
At an Aug. 6 meeting, Sugar Land City Council approved a nearly $3.19 million contract with D G Medina Construction LLC for the Soldiers Field Extension and First Colony Roundabout Project. The changes are meant to address traffic concerns due to a high number of crashes, Engineering Manager Huy Ton said.
The project will be funded by the city’s nearly $91 million general obligation bond approved by voters in November 2019, Ton said. Additionally, the project has an additional $1.8 million available from Fort Bend County’s November 2023 mobility bond.
The details
To minimize the traffic impact during construction, the project will be completed in three phases, including:
- Phase 1: Extend Soldiers Field Drive to Hwy. 6 and add a right-turn lane from Hwy. 6 to Soldiers Field Drive
- Phase 2: Remove the existing cul-de-sac on Soldiers Field Drive and reconstruct pavement
- Phase 3: Construct a new roundabout at Soldiers Field Drive and First Colony Boulevard
The project will also add bike lanes and sidewalks as well as storm sewer, waterline and sanitary improvements, Ton said.
What they’re saying
Council members Naushad Kermally and William Ferguson said they had concerns with the need for Phase 3 and urged city staff to go forward with phases 1 and 2, and then see if another phase is needed.
With multiple areas under construction, including Hwy. 90A at the Grand Parkway and University Boulevard at [Hwy.] 59, Ferguson said adding another large construction project will be inconvenient for residents.
“Piling this on top of what our community is already struggling with with traffic, I believe it is terrible timing,” Ferguson said.
However, Mayor Joe Zimmerman said the project is essential to address the intersection’s high crash rate that exceeds the state safety limit and ensure drivers are safe.
Looking ahead
Construction will begin in August with substantial completion expected by May 2025, Ton said.
