Below is Budget and Funding information for the project. Last updated February 2022.

February 

Highlights:

At this time, the work of the contract has been completed and the contractor is addressing punch list items. All paving is complete, all drainage work is complete and functioning per plan, as revised. The traffic signals are complete and functioning, as well as School Zone flashers. A speed study was performed once the contractor completed all paving operations and the Speed Limit signs were posted for 35 MPH ultimately matching the original speed limit for the roadway. Final changes to the location of the school zone flashers were made in conjunction with the locations identified in Ordinance 1497-9 (latest School Zone Speed Ordianace). The contractor is completing irrigation work at this time and awaiting an electrical meter set for the controller. Landscaping is approaching completion with only sodding and hydro-mulch seeding remaining. Street Illumination foundations and electrical conduit are complete and awaiting CenterPoint’s installation of wiring and poles, which is currently projected for the end of February. Contract Close Out procedures have begun and will be completed once the final pay application is made in February. Project is 99.6% complete by dollars and 100% complete by time with 133 rain days remaining that will not be added to the contract.

Upcoming Work Items:

• Completion of irrigation controller electrification – awaiting electrical meter
• Continuation of sidewalk joint sealing
• Completion of installation of Street Lighting by CenterPoint
• Completion of the sodding and hydro-mulch seeding

Read February Memo

September

Highlights:

• All sound walls have now been erected and painted except for Wall D, (Kensington to North Hampton) in progress at this time.
• Beginning last May, paving contractor is working on median cuts and left turn lanes. Now estimated to be 40% complete. There is still a gap in the main lane pavement near Linda Lane, due to changes in the drainage area that must be addressed prior to paving.
• Traffic Signals at Miller Ranch and Bryant Court have been constructed and electrical services have been built. New School Zone Flashers have been installed for Challenger, signal start-up is waiting on Centerpoint to set a transformer at the signal for Bryant Court and the school zone flashers. CenterPoint has the transformer scheduled for October 2021.
• Landscape and Irrigation work began on the west end. Tree species have been replaced to be compatible with use in medians per the City ROW division and Urban Forster. Installation of irrigation mainline is now 95% complete.
• Concrete sidewalk along north side of project between Challenger Elementary and Dawson was completed in time for student use with the start of the school year. Sidewalk construction is continuing in a westward direction from Kensington.
• The project is now 88% complete by dollars paid and 95% complete by time. Contract Completion is scheduled for November this year when the initial contract time runs out. This could still be extended by recorded weather related delays.

Upcoming Work Items:

• Completion of painting on Wall D. 
• Continuation of sidewalk construction on the north side of Hughes Ranch Road 
• Continued construction of the traffic signals at Miller Ranch Road and Bryan Court. 
• Continued construction of the landscape irrigation system. 
• Continued Phase 4 (median cuts and left turn lanes) concrete pavement construction. 

Read September Memo

July

Highlights:

• Concrete paving construction of the westbound lanes (Phase 3) is now complete except for two locations requiring modifications to drainage, paving and median configurations at Linda Lane and in front of Dawson Playing fields.
• This work requires a Change Order of approximately $20,000 that has been submitted several times but delayed by TxDOT multiple separate requests for additional back-up information.
• Phase 4 concrete paving construction (median crossovers and left turn lanes) has begun. Lanes will remain closed to two-way traffic within the work areas. The project has opened a section of the project to two-way traffic located at Southdown to Smith Ranch and North Hampton to Cullen. 
• Sound Wall D (the last sound wall to be constructed on the project) is 30% erected. Intermittent rain is delaying this work which must be completed before curbs and sidewalks can be installed and roadside surface drainage features completed. Final painting of the sound walls has been delayed due to paint shortages in the market. 
• Signal construction continues and a new detection system has now been specified by the City for use on this project due to the end of life and end of sale for the components of the previous system.  
• The project is 83% complete by dollars in contract as well as 85% complete by time including the 164 days added from the shutdown.
• Landscaping and irrigation work has begun on the south side at the west end of the project.   
• The contract for construction of the fiber optic inter-connect for signals was awarded on June 14 and construction start is imminent. 
• COVID 19 activities have had no impact to the contractor’s forces to date. However, weather is slowing progress by reducing the number of consecutive days work can be prosecuted during a five-day week. 

Upcoming Work Items:

•  Completion of erection of Soundwall D and the painting of Walls B, C and D. 
•  Commencement of sidewalk construction on the north side of Hughes Ranch Road 
•  Continued construction of the traffic signals at Miller Ranch Road and Bryan Court. 
•  Continued construction of the landscape irrigation system. 
•  Continued Phase 4 concrete pavement construction. 

Read July Memo

April

Highlights:

• All the originally planned sound walls on the south side of Hughes Ranch Road have been erected and painted.
• On the north side of Hughes Ranch Road, Wall sections A and E are completely erected and painted, Wall sections B and C are completely erected and partially painted. Soundwall D is the sole remaining wall that is incomplete.   
• Construction of concrete sidewalk on the south side of Hughes Ranch Road is complete.
• Roadway excavation, removal of previous asphalt pavement, and lime stabilization of the subgrade began in March and has progressed quickly under favorable weather conditions. 
• Construction of future westbound lanes began in late February at the far west end between Country Place Parkway and the entrance to Southdown Drive. The contractor is now focusing on quickly progressing his slip-form paving eastward to maximize the advantages of the cooler weather and recover as much schedule as possible. As of the first week of April that had progressed as far as Kensington and is approximately 40% complete on the west bound lanes. 
• Traffic Signal construction is continuing at both Miller Ranch and Bryant Court. 
• The revised Traffic Control plan developed to maintain access to Challenger Elementary is still in place as well as a short westbound segment from Cullen to North Hampton for Dawson traffic.
• The project is 73% complete by dollars expended and 78% complete by contract time. Thus far the contractor’s schedule has not been affected by COVID-19. After adding the 164 days to the schedule for the Utility relocation delays suffered early on, the project is back on schedule to complete by early November. 

Upcoming Work Items:

• Erection of Soundwall D and the painting of Wall sections B and C. 
•  Continued subgrade stabilization for the westbound lanes of Hughes Ranch Road. 
•  Continued concrete pavement construction of the westbound lanes of Hughes Ranch Road.

Read April Memo

February

Highlights:

• All the originally planned sound walls on the south side of Hughes Ranch Road have been erected. The wall extension at Miller Ranch Road is under construction.
• On the north side of Hughes Ranch Road, Walls A and E are completely erected.
• Wall B construction has been delayed by a conflict with a Comcast cable. The Comcast cable relocation has been recently completed. Wall construction will continue.
• Concrete paving of the southern two lanes (future eastbound lanes) construction began the first week of May 2019 from the east end of the project at Cullen. The eastbound lanes are complete (approximately 10,600 LF of 25 - foot wide concrete pavement). All driveways and street intersections on the south side of Hughes Ranch Road have been constructed.
• Construction of concrete sidewalk on the south side of Hughes Ranch Road started on the east end of the project and proceeded to the west. The sidewalk and associated brick paver installation is complete.
• Removal of asphalt pavement and roadway excavation for construction of westbound lanes is complete and roadway embankment is in place.
• Traffic now has access to the new eastbound concrete lanes. To provide greater access to Challenger Elementary school and to allow a vehicular queue at the school for dropping off and picking up students. Traffic is one-way eastbound from Smith Ranch Road to North Hampton, and two-way from North Hampton to Cullen.
• Traffic signal construction at Miller Ranch and Bryan Court has commenced. The original design did not contain the most recent update to signal controller equipment that will be compatible with our new traffic control software and equipment. Staff is evaluating costs for the change in the equipment and to replace the solar/battery powered school zone signs and upgrade the signal detection equipment. TxDOT is currently considering participation.
• The project is 69% complete by dollars in contract as well as 70% complete by time with the 164 days added due to the utility conflicts.
• COVID 19 activities have had no impact to the contractor’s forces to date.
• As noted previously, the contractor ran into AT&T and Centerpoint Energy (gas) lines almost immediately upon mobilization and lost 164 days. Every effort is being made to make that time up.

Upcoming Work Items:

• Erection of the sound walls on the north side of the roadway will continue.
• Subgrade stabilization for the westbound lanes of Hughes Ranch Road will be ongoing.

• Commencement of concrete pavement construction of the westbound lanes of Hughes Ranch Road.
  • This work is planned to begin at the west end and work east.
  • Staff is currently discussing a plan to allow the contractor to hand pour a short segment of this in exchange for opening the Southdown entrance/ exit to local traffic. During Phase 3 (paving westbound lanes on Hughes Ranch Road) the original TCP has been altered to allow for the continued use of a drop off lane adjacent to Challenger Elementary school. During Phase 3 (paving westbound lanes on Hughes Ranch Road) the original TCP has been altered to allow for the continued use of a drop off lane adjacent to Challenger Elementary school.

• During Phase 3 (paving westbound lanes on Hughes Ranch Road) the original TCP has been altered to allow for the continued use of a drop off lane adjacent to Challenger Elementary school.

Read February Memo

• Concrete paving construction of the eastbound lanes is complete with the exception of intersections at Miller Ranch, South Harrington, Harrington and May Court.
• The project is 59% complete by dollars in contract as well as 56% complete by time with the 164 days added from the shutdown caused by utility conflicts.
• COVID 19 activities have had no impact to the contractor's forces to date.

Upcoming Work Items:

• Erection of the sound walls on the north side of the roadway will continue.
• Construction of sidewalk on the south side of Hughes Ranch Road will continue to progress toward the west end of the project.
• Construction of the street intersections will be completed in the next 5 to 6 weeks.
• During Phase 3 (paving of westbound lanes) the original TCP may be altered to allow for the continued use of a drop off lane adjacent to Challenger Elementary School.  This would be facilitated by the closure of Hughes Ranch Road to westbound through traffic.

Read September 2020 memo

July

Highlights:

• Subgrade stabilization and concrete paving construction of the eastbound lanes continues progressing to the east.
• Concrete paving construction commenced the first week of May.
• The project is 52% complete by dollars in contract as well as 51% complete by time with the 164 days added from the shutdown and currently 62 days of rain.
• COVID 19 activities have had no impact to the contractor's forces to date.

Upcoming Work:

• Paving operations for new eastbound lane will continue through August.  South side sidewalk will also be constructed at this time.

Read the July 2020 memo

June

Highlights:

• Traffic shift onto new temporary pavement occurred on March 26th.
• Demolition of the existing eastbound lane was substantially completed in April.
• Concrete paving construction commenced the first week of May.
• The project is 46% complete by dollars in contract as well as 46% complete by time with the 164 days added from the shutdown.
• COVID 19 activities have had no impact to the contractor's forces to date.

Upcoming Work:

• Paving operations for new eastbound lane will continue through July.  South side sidewalk will also be constructed at this time.
• Grading on the south side between sound wall and and new road.
• Sound wall construction will continue.
• Detention basin work will continue.

Read the June 2020 memo

May

New concrete is being poured:

March

Since the restart of the project there remain minor utility relocations that are on-going. The City’s contractor has not been impacted and is prosecuting the work on schedule. The contractor utilized multiple underground crews to regain some time/production and all underground storm sewer is now complete except the last connection at Cullen.

The sound wall installation is progressing well, and installation for the Crystal Lake subdivision will be completed within the week. The contractor has started patching and painting the back side of the wall at Crystal Lakes and will then start tying in the residents fences. Contractor will continue working west until all the wall is complete.

The temporary pavement being installed on the north side of the existing roadway is part of the Traffic Control Plan and will facilitate the upcoming traffic switch planned for the week of March 30. Temporary pavement was completed March 20th .

Starting on the week of the 30th, traffic will be shifted north onto the new temporary pavement. The existing eastbound lane will be barricaded with no traffic allowed. Eastbound traffic will be moved on to the existing westbound lane and westbound traffic will be relocated to the new temporary pavement. The traffic configuration is planned for approximately a six-month duration. Introduction of the Gravity Sewer contractor into the work corridor may alter this configuration.

When/if school returns, there may be an additional detour requiring one-way traffic. However, this will be discussed should this situation occur.

Project staff and Engineering-Projects are in continuous contact with PISD’s transportation manager to share updates and coordinate planning efforts.

Read the March 2020 memo

January

Status of Delay:

Construction resumed on November 4, 2019 after 164 days of interruption following conflicts with gas lines and AT&T copper and fiber lines alone the corridor. 

Through collaboration between the City's teams, AT&T and the SH288 managed lane contractor, the major conflicts at Smith Ranch Road were able to be mitigated without the addition of expensive conflict structures. As the delays were caused by unknown utility conflict, the sole remedy for the contractor per the contract is addition days. 

Two of the project's three storm sewers are in construction concurrently to help recover the schedule from utility delays. Underground storm water work is anticipated to be completed in March 2020. This was was originally supposed to be completed mid-November 2019. The used of two crews to install the storm sewer appears to have recovered about 30 days in the storm sewer installation schedule.

Soundwall work was stopped after the bottom one-foot panel was found to have constructability issues and not able to support the 8 foot tall panel. Manufacturer was required to redesign the panel. Contractor is scheduled to start installing the correct bottom panel within two weeks. 

Contractor's third crew is preparing the north side of the road the the next phase of the project, which will require installation of temporary pavement in preparation to move traffic in advance of the construction of the eastbound travel lanes. 

Highlights: • Approximately 80% of underground work is complete. March will be 100% with only Phase 2 being inlets remaining. • Multiple underground crews are working to regain some time. • Centerpoint and AT&T are still on site relocating remaining utilities ahead of the contractor. • Challenger Elementary school children remain on same walking routes as pre-project with barriers protecting them from the work. • The temporary traffic configuration at Hughes Ranch and Smith Ranch are the responsibility of the SH288 managed lane project and are not a part of this project.

Upcoming Work: • Temporary asphalt pavement will be installed on the north side, adjacent to the westbound lane for the length of the project (Cullen to Smith Ranch Rd). This work will finish in March. • Phase 2 will begin with the resetting of the traffic control including striping and barricades after the temporary pavement is placed. Westbound traffic will be on the temporary pavement, eastbound will be moved to the original westbound lane. Public notice will be in accordance with City standards. Staff are working with Police and Challenger Elementary Staff on a detour to assist with school traffic during the construction of the travel lanes in front of the school. • Demolition of the south side of the ROW and eastbound lanes will occur after lane switch. Paving operations for new eastbound lane are anticipated to occur between June and July. South side sidewalk will also be constructed at this time.

Read the January 2020 memo

November 2019

• Notice of Construction
  • The contractor, Triple B Services, re-started the work on November 5, 2019.
    • The work started, but rain on Thursday, November 7, caused two rain-out days.
    • The work resumed on Monday, November 11 on the west end of the project with drainage crews installing storm sewer pipe along the north side of the road alignment.
    • The contractor intends to add a second drainage crew to the project during the week of November 18, 2018, to recover some of the time from the project shutdown.
  • The sound wall subcontractor mobilized on November 12, 2019.
    • The subcontractor has revised the design of the wall foundations that were cracking.
    • The new design includes additional rebar to stabilize the structure.
    • The installation of the new foundations should begin by November 22, 2019.
  • AT&T has relocated all their lines that conflicted with the installation of the drainage pipe.
    • There is still a conflict near the east end of the project that should be resolved before the construction advances to that location.
  • CenterPoint Gas is approximately 95% complete relocating their lines. The company discovered additional lines during the relocate work that are currently being moved.
  • Staff is working with the contractor to revise the construction schedule within the coming days.
  • Both lanes continue to stay open through this phase of the work.

August 2019

• Project Delayed
  • Upon discovery by the construction team of utility lines in the area, the contractor requested the City to halt construction until those utility lines have been removed from the construction area.
  • City accepted the request to delay the project
  • Project expected to be delayed 8-12 weeks, barring weather
  • Hughes Ranch Road is currently open in both directions for travel. 

Read the news article.

Read the memo. 

April 2019

• Notice of Construction
  • Project Manager released a Traffic Advisory informing residents Hughes Ranch Road will be under construction
  • Notice stated construction would being April 24, 2019.

Read the April 2019 Traffic Advisory.

January 2019

• Highlights
  • Construction contract awarded to Triple B. Services on November 26, 2018.
  • Staff received notification from TxDOT that the Construction Phase services, BGE, Inc. would not reimbursed under the AFA as TxDOT considers the work to be an extension to the existing design contract. 
    •  Staff has negotiated and reduced the scope of BGE’s construction phase services.
  • Staff received TxDOT approval for Construction Management/Construction Inspection (CMCI) services by Cobb Fendley and Associates on January 16, 2019.
    • This approval will provide 80% re-imbursement of the contract fees per the Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) between the City and TxDOT. 
    • The approval of the Cobb Fendley contract, will allow more of the day to day administration of the project to fall under the CMCI scope, greatly reducing the tasks that will need to be performed by BGE.
      •  BGE, Inc. proposal is for an hourly not to exceed amount of $130,140.00 which is about 0.8% of the construction contract. Staff considers the fees to be reasonable considering the project duration of 24 months and the project limits within the heavily populated community that includes two public schools which will require significant oversight and coordination.

Schedule Info

Read the January 2019 memo. 

November 2018

• Award for Construction
  • Triple B Services was the lowest bidder at $16,686,347.60
    • Bid is approximately 12.6% below the engineer's construction cost estimate of $19,086,362.85.
    • Award package willbe presented to Council on November 26, 2018.
      • Package will include City's recommendation for the award, the State's Letter of Authority, and contract big documents.
      • Preconstruction conference and submittal of documents to occur prior to Notice to Proceed.

Read the November 2018 memo. 

February 2018

• Design Updates
  • Brown and Gay submitted 90% plans to TxDOT in December, 2017. TxDOT has agreed to fast track internal reviews in an effort to meet an aggressive letting schedule of July this year. However, there are three items remaining to be completed that require an amendment to their design contract
  • Amendment 1: Right Turn Lane at Challenger Elementary
    •  Additional of right turn lane crucial for orderly school traffic flows based on traffic patterns
    • Lane provides additional stacking space for pick-up and drop off traffic outside of through traffic lanes
      • Enhances school zone safety
      • Removes these vehicles from the through lanes
    • Will require modifications to landscaping and irrigation plans, illumination plans, the traffic signal at the intersection with Bryan Court, drainage plans, and traffic control plans. 
  • Amendment 2: Sound Wall Substitution
    •  Staff received approval from TxDOT to replace the a the more expensive TxDOT sound wall planned at 12,000 linear feet 
      •  Substitution offers significant cost and time savings
      • TxDOT sound wall: approximately $6 million
      • Alternative sound wall: $2.5 million
        •  Savings at $3.5 million
          •  The City would have been responsible for 20 percent of that, or $700,000.
        • Alternate wall require changes to the sound wall design including foundations, drainage swales, and slope paving details. 
  • Amendment 3: TxDOT Coordination
    •  Original contract negotiated with BGE, Inc included TxDOT's submittal process at three partial submittals (30%, 60% and 90%) and a final 100% submittal.
      •  TxDOT's submittal requirements changed in 2016, adding a 95% submittal and review. 
  • Staff will present the Contract Amendment at the February 26th meeting for Council review and authorization along with a recommendation to approve
    •  Work would begin immediately in an effort to keep the project on track for a letting this summer. 

Read the February 2018 memo.

December 2017

• Advance Funding Agreement for the construction phase
  • TxDOT agreed to reiumburse the City 80% of cost related to widening approximately 2 miles of road, from two lanes to four lanes
    • This includes costs associates with storm sewers, sidewalks, and soundwalls
  • 90 percent design submittal sent to TxDOT for review
    • TxDOT agreed to fast track internal reviews in an effort to meet an aggressive letting schedule.
    • Under the AFA, the City will bid and manage the construction of the project.
      • Preliminary schedule for bidding is July 208
      • Schedule would provide a construction contact award date in the fall of 2018. 
  • Moving forward
    • Approval of the AFA can allow the City to move forward with payment for the direct costs to TxDOT, complete the plan review phase, and move into the bidding phase for the project.
    • Upon completion of TxDOT’s approval of the bid and authorization to proceed, the project can enter the construction phase a full year ahead of the original schedule.
    • Staff recommend that Council approve the AFA with TxDoT for the construction phase funding of the Hughes Ranch Road project and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.

Read the December 2017 memo. 

October 2017

• Project Preparation
  
  •  Funding
    • Staff are attempting to accelerate the completion of the design/ review process and make the project “construction ready” for funds that may come available for the 2018 TIP. A letter formally requesting the project be accelerated to 2018 was sent to H-GAC.
    • Staff requested and received a draft Advanced Funding Agreement from TxDOT for the plan review and construction phases of the project,
  • Land Acquisition
    • Right of Way (ROW) acquisition began in 2015
    • All 26 parcels have been acquired along the corridor
  • Design
    • Roadway design largely completed
      • Modifications in the ROW including sound walls and private utilities and illumination plans
• Next Steps
  • Completion of the revisions to the Drainage Report and submittal to TxDoT for review and approval. 
  • Final internal review of the roadway PS&E’s and Project Manual prior to submittal to TxDoT for a Five month Review 
  • Completion of ROW Acquisition (final two parcels and settle gate relocation costs) 
  • Completion of Utility Relocations and City waterline installation (currently underway)
  • Address any outstanding TxDoT comments on PS&Es and completion of Bidding documents 

Read the October 2017 memo. 

Hughes Ranch Road has been on the City's Thoroughfare Plan as a planned secondary thoroughfare, with a four lane raised median boulevard cross section for over ten years.   A link to the Thoroughfare Plan is found here. Thoroughfare Plan. The project design was initiated by Brazoria County and handed over to the City at 90% completion when the City annexed the area.  The remaining design and construction will be managed by the City of Pearland.