Transportation Updates Transportation Updates

4. Cutten Road signal improvements

The new traffic signal system at the intersection of Vintage Preserve Parkway and Cutten Road is in the design phase. Harris County’s goal is to commence construction of the traffic signal project in the first quarter of 2017.

Timeline: TBD Cost: $180,000 Funding sources: Harris County

5. Hufsmith-Kohrville Road widening Segment 6

The project spans between Mahaffey Road and FM 2920 and will widen Hufsmith-Kohrville Road from two to four lanes. It is in the design phase, and Harris County plans to put it up for bid in the second quarter of 2017.

Timeline: TBD Cost: $5 million Funding sources: Harris County

6. Riley Fuzzel Road widening

The roadway will widen from two to five lanes west of the Hardy Toll Road. A new railroad crossing north of Riley Fuzzel Road, between West Hardy and East Hardy roads, will be introduced to provide access to East Hardy Road. The goal to put the project out for bid in the second quarter of 2017.

Timeline: TBD Cost: $2.8 million Funding sources: Harris County

Transportation Updates The Texas Department of Transportation undergoes a rigorous process to determine whether to build a state roadway and how it would look.[/caption]

How it Works

Why does it take so long to build a state-operated road?

The Texas Department of Transportation undergoes a rigorous process to determine whether to build a state roadway and how it would look.

TxDOT creates a concept, develops the scope and consults the region’s long-range transportation plan, TxDOT officials said.

TxDOT staffers then gather data on travel times, crashes, population and employment to help create a purpose and need. Community input is also added.

Based on the purpose and need, TxDOT will create several concepts and ask the public to review them.

TxDOT will also identify environmental issues, collect data and assess constructability. The refined proposal is taken back to the public for review.

TxDOT officlas said they will make an environmental decision on the roadway’s effect on the environment before completing the final design and identifying a funding source.

Once a project has funding, it is placed on TxDOT’s 24-month letting schedule in which contractors bid on projects. The final step is issuing a notice to begin construction.