Plans to construct a northbound frontage road from CR 59 to FM 518/Broadway to include a u-turn lane at CR 59 are in the works. This road network would provide relief from SH 288 for vehicles traveling from CR 59 to FM 518 and provide managed access points for developments east of SH 288. The $9.9 million project was one of nine projects submitted for federal/state funding to the Houston Galveston Area Council's Call for Projects in 2015, as part of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). As such, the project will include 80 percent federal funds reimbursed through the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) with a 20 percent local match and is proposed for funding in 2025.

In an attempt to accelerate the project in the TIP, the City of Pearland and the Pearland Economic Development Corporation have each budgeted for the design costs. Once the design and environmental clearance is completed, the project will be ready to move up in the TIP schedule should funds become available.

Late last year, following conversations between the TXDOT and the City of Pearland regarding this project, concerns regarding space inside of the TXDOT right-of-way, drainage and how the ramps would interact with the SH 288 Toll Lanes Project came forward were discussed. From this discussion, a decision was made to develop a technical memorandum discussing an overview of the proposed project, schematics and traffic analysis to assist in addressing the concerns.

Currently, the City of Pearland is preparing a draft technical memorandum that includes a traffic analysis, a u-turn movement at the CR 59 intersection and a brief analysis of the impacts at the FM 518 intersection. A final report is expected in a couple of weeks and the City will meet with TXDOT again to discuss the project.

For more information on this project and other City projects, view the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. This project is in line with City Council’s Strategic Priorities of Fiscal Responsibility and Sustainable Infrastructure.