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

February

Highlights:

• Construction for this project was managed by TxDOT,
  o The City provided Design and Construction funding only
  o Funding was also provided by Brazoria County ($1.5M) and Pearland Economic Development Corporation ($750K)
• Drainage improvements are complete
• Concrete pavement pours of new lanes are complete
• Installed new Northbound Frontage Rd entrance ramp and cast-in-place concrete railing
• Finished construction of new driveway approaches into Silverlake shopping center
• New Frontage Rd illumination installed complete and energized
• Landscape installation complete
• Striping finished
• Final Site Clean-up
• Substantial Completion was achieved on October 6, 2021
  o Staff is awaiting final approval and acceptance notice form TxDOT

Upcoming Work Items:

• Project Closeout Documents
• Final project approval and acceptance by TxDOT

Read February Memo

August

Highlights:

• Grading and Earthwork 90% completed.  
• Completed 100% drainage improvements.   
• Completed 95% concrete pavement pours.  
• Constructed new Northbound Frontage Rd entrance ramp. 
• Formed entrance ramp cast-in-place concrete railing.  
• Continued coordination with the Silver Lake Shopping Center property management company, 
• Fidelis, to finalize a Right of Entry agreement required to connect the new driveway approaches to 
  the existing shopping center pavement as requested by Fidelis, and to ensure adequate sloping 
  grades are achieved.  Fidelis has been made aware that completion of this work cannot proceed until 
  the documentation is received, to which they have indicated it is forthcoming this week.

Upcoming Work Items: 

• Installation of landscaping.   
• Complete construction of exit ramp. 
• Construction of new illumination foundations. 
• Energize permanent site illumination.   
• Begin pavement striping.  
• Due to weather delays, the Major traffic pattern switch is currently anticipated to commence. 
  by August 16, 2021.  
• Finish construction of new driveway approaches into Silverlake shopping center by removing existing 
  landscaping to tie into the existing pavement once the Right of Entry documentation has been 
  received. 
• Due to weather delays, the current anticipated construction completion is mid-September.

October 

Highlights:

• The SH288 100% plans were approved by TxDOT August 2020.
• TxDOT let the project on October 2, 2020 with a total of ten contractors submitting bids.  The lowest bid was submitted by SER Construction Partners, LLC in the amount of $4,797,528.55.
• This is a great win for the project.  The project was originally approved in the 2015 HGAC-TIP project but would not be scheduled for letting until 2025.  Brazoria County is funding $1,500,000, PEDC is funding $750,000 and the remaining from the City.  By accelerating this project, the City is able to take advantage of the market and pricing today and with the partnerships that have been made the City costs are below the HGAC-TIP projected costs.
• The exceptional bid prices mean the City's share is approximately $3.72M, which is approximately 57% of the overall project cost which totals approximately $6.5 when TxDOT's contribution to the cost of construction management and material testing is included.

Upcoming Work Items:

• The construction contract for SER Construction Partners, LLC to complete the SH288 Northbound Frontage Road project is planned for submittal to the Texas Transportation Commission during its next meeting on October 29, 2020.  TxDOT will manage the construction and coordinate the material testing.  Both of these items are TxDOT's contribution to the project.
• Upon approval of the contract, construction is anticipated to commence within 45-60 days pending state recognized holidays.
• Staff will coordinate with TxDOT on public notification of the work, its scheduled start and any major developments that may impact local traffic conditions.
• Based on TxDOT's 5-day work week for the project, the projected construction completion is currently set for February 2022 but TxDOT is managing the contractor's schedule.

Read October 2020 memo

March

 Highlights:

• Staff received an approved Advanced Funding Agreement (AFA) from TxDOT on January 10, 2020 for the proposed SH288 Northbound Frontage Road improvements. Council approved the AFA during the January 27, 2020 regular meeting. This AFA provided TxDOT to let and manage the construction, construction management and material testing of the project.
• On January 8, 2020, Staff submitted to TxDOT communications from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which indicated “a letter from them is not warranted to begin construction if the Environmental consultant’s assessment shows no Waters Of the U.S. (WOUS), including wetlands exist and/or will be impacted within the proposed project area”. The City’s Environmental consultant, Crouch Environmental Services, Inc., drafted a Letter of Professional Opinion on January 14, 2019, indicating the Subject Property “does not” contain any potentially jurisdictional WOUS, including wetlands.
• On February 18, 2020 the 95% construction drawings were delivered to TxDOT’s Houston office to initiate their required review and approval of the plans. With an anticipated five-month review timeframe, TxDOT is projected to let the project in October 2020 and construction is expected to have a 12-15 duration period.
• Staff worked with TxDOT to address additional questions on the previously submitted Traffic Noise Technical Report (TNTR) and returned a revised report to TxDOT on February 18, 2020.
• After speaking with TxDOT Environmental personnel on February 18, 2020, it was agreed upon that the City can proceed with acquiring the additional land needed for drainage as there are no environmental concerns identified. The City’s Acquisition Manager has initiated this process and projects it will take 6 months to finalize the transfer of land ownership.
• Staff received communications from TxDOT on March 9, 2020 requesting additional updates to the previously approved Traffic Noise Technical Report (TNTR). The TNTR was updated to include the requested data and assumptions and returned to TxDOT on March 10, 2020.
• Staff and project Engineer met with TxDOT on March 11, 2020 to discuss comments received regarding the Drainage Analysis submitted to TxDOT on January 27, 2020. An updated analysis addressing these comments was provided to TxDOT during the meeting; and at a glance, all comments appear to have been successfully addressed. TxDOT has indicated a final review of the revised study should be completed by March 23^rd. Upon receipt of an approval for the Drainage Analysis, TxDOT will commence their review of the 95% construction drawings with a consensus of the project letting in October 2020.
• Staff is also still waiting on the approval of the TxDOT Frontage Road Justification process that also includes three driveway locations to access the properties on the east side of the frontage road. The application is still in the TxDOT Austin office.

Upcoming Work Items:

• Staff and consultant will work with TxDOT to coordinate the required 90% utility meeting to ensure remedies for any utility conflict are in place prior to construction.
• Staff and consultant will work with TxDOT to complete and input the project estimate and create associated specifications list within the TxDOTCONNECT system. Launched in early 2019, TxDOTCONNECT is the agency’s new, custom-built system for managing the delivery of transportation programs, projects and right of way while providing a platform to standardize data and reporting formats.
• Staff will finalize the land acquisition needed for additional drainage capacity.
• Staff will coordinate with TxDOT on holding a public meeting to inform development/business owner(s) adjacent to the project area of proposed improvements.

Read March 2020 memo

 January 2020

Advanced Funding Agreement

• Inability to obtain pricing based on existing unit costs with current contractor Pulice Construction led to Staff electing to bid out the project to obtain competitive pricing for the work
• The City has requested an Advanced Funding Agreement (AFA) with TxDOT to utilize TxDOT’s bidding procedures and construction administration to bid the work for the construction of a 2-lane northbound frontage road on SH288, from Magnolia Parkway to FM 518. 
  • Under this agreement, TxDOT will provide Bid Phase and Construction Phase Services to include advertising for bids, issue bid proposals, receive and tabulate bids, construction management, construction inspection, material testing, and administer the contract for construction. 
• Costs associated with these services will be the responsibility of TxDOT and are estimated at $770,000 (11% of the construction estimate).
  • Per the AFA Costs of Construction, including any agreed upon change orders, will be borne by the City. 
  • The City has a partnership with Brazoria County and with PEDC, in which they are providing $1.5M and $750,000 respectively to the project. 
• The projected construction cost payable to TxDOT for this scope of work is seven million dollars ($7,000,000).
  • Any unused funds are to be returned to the City per the agreement. 
  • Per the AFA, 100% of costs for both design and construction will be the responsibility of the City and County per the previously executed Interlocal Agreement approved July 9, 2018. 
  • A subsequent amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with Brazoria County is being developed to remove the Brazoria County Toll Road Authority from the agreement and reflect that TxDOT will let the project and manage the construction.

Current Status:

• The roadway design contract for HDR, Inc. was approved by City Council on March 26, 2018.  95%roadway Construction Documents are complete and will be combined with the Off-site Drainage plans to TxDOT’s standards.
• City Council approved the Off-site Drainage design contract for HDR, Inc. on August 13, 2018. 95%Off-site Drainage plans are completed and will be combined with the roadway construction documents to TxDOT’s standards.
• Final plans and specifications for submission to TxDOT are expected in March 2020.
• Staff are working with consultant to finalize responses to TxDOT comments on Wetlands Delineation report ahead of final review and environmental approval.
• Staff has been working with the environmental consultant to secure the required USACE verification response to the “Letter of Professional Opinion” provided by Crouch Environmental and submitted to the USACE January 2019.  As of January 8, 2020, we received an email from the USACE stating that no further information is required.  The length of time to receive this notice impacted the schedule and the letting by TxDOT.
• TxDOT has scheduled five-month plan review for May 2020 and letting for October 2020

Next Steps:

• Present AFA to City Council for approval and authorization of payment to TXDOT on the January 27, 2020 City Council agenda.
• HDR to incorporate their work into TxDOT’s approved Storm Water Management Model and finalize the required drainage study as requested by TxDOT.
• Finalize land acquisition for additional off-site drainage and detention. Two parcels are required, one has been donated.  Because the second parcel must be purchased it must wait on environmental clearance from the Corps. Staff is waiting on TxDOT’s conformation of the completion of the environmental report before land acquisition starts.
• HDR to complete design of the SH288 Northbound Frontage Road (Magnolia Parkway to FM518) including the detention pond and submit final design to TxDOT for formal review and approval.
  • In the November meeting TxDOT  required that the drainage design be entered into the overall project drainage model.  Access to the model was finally granted on January 7th after numerous emails and phone calls.
  • The delay in getting this model and finalizing the drainage report has also impacted the project schedule causing the Letting to be moved out as detailed in this memo.

Read the January 2020 memo

August

• Costs
  • City entered into Interlocal Agreement with Brazoria County and Brazoria County Toll Rod Authority
    • via the Interlocal, the County is providing $1,5000,000 in construction funds
    • PEDC contributed a total of $750,000 to the project for design and construction
  • Pulice Construction
    • contractor for BCTRA
    • was provided interi plan sets for review with the understanding that the project would utilize existing unit pricing from the BCTRA contract
      • this provided the project cost estimate at $3,864,112.16
  • Re-pricing
    • Pulice re-price the entire project 
    • Instead of starting with the bid unit prices, Pulie re-priced the project resulting in a proposed Change ORder amount of $7,505,410.78
      • Meetings occurred for Pulice to justify
      • At 95 % design plans, Pulice changed the Change Order to $8,011,126 
• Bidding
  • Change order quite drastic
  • Staff decided best course of action was to have the project competitively bid
    • TxDOT agreed and City has requested AFA to establish project scope and funding abilities
• Current Status
  • TxDOT indicted 2 option on getting environmental approval of project
    • 1. Re-evaluation of entire SH288 Toll Road environmental document or 2. conduct an individual evaluation of the frontage road project limits. 
  • Project design is 90% completed and will be ready to turn over to TxDOT when AFA is completed and approved
    • Upon reviews, approval, and agreement, project will be turned over to TxDOT's construction department to bid, award and construction
    • City, PEDC, and Brazoria County funds will be turned over to TxDOT to utilize for the construction of the project. 
• Funding Status
  • design funded 100% by City and PEDC
    • $566,338
  • Construction costs will be funded by the remaining PEDC allocated funds ($750,000), Brazoria County ($1,500,000) and the City of PEarland will cover the balance estimated at $5,210,000
  • TxDOT will provide construction costs estimated at $740,000
• Plan
  • Complete the design
  • Determine how best to achieve environmental clearance with TxDOT
  • Complete a new AFA with TxDOT
  • Amend the Interlocal with Brazoria County and BCTRA to remove BCTRA from the agreement and reflect that TxDOT will let the project and manage the construction. 

August 2019 memo

December

• Submittals, Designs, and Reports
  • Nov- staff submitted a revised Schematic based on earlier TxDOT comments along with the revised SH288 NB Frontage Road Justification Report
  • Updated Traffic Noise Technical Report and Traffic Noise Contour Model submitted to TxDOT for final review and approval by the Environmental Division at the District Office
  • Staff working with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to update existing Environmental Permit to prepare for the Toll Lane project
  • 90% plans and documents are due to TxDOT the first week of January
• Upcoming Work Items
  • Staff working with Brazoria County to finalize a donation deed of unused County road right of way for the offsite drainage
  • Surveyor is establishing metes and bounds of Silver Lakes plat to determine potential ROW encroachments by the developer of the road right of way to be repurposed as a detention pond
  • Crouch Environmental Services, Inc, to finalize the delineation to determine the presence of current wetlands to extend USACE Preliminary Jurisdictional Determina letter and/or establish new permitting requirements 
  • Original 2012 PJD  did not incorporate the proposed offsite drainage area
  • HDR Engineering to submit 90% roadways plans to TXdot first week of january for review and approval
  •  Staff to submit 90% roadway plans to Brazoria County and contractor for review 

December 2018 memo

 October 

• Design
  • Staff submitted a revised Schematic Design and answers to original comments to TxDOT on August 9 for review and final approval; pending
  • Council approved the AFA with TxDOT for the project
  • 60% plans due 
• Upcoming Work Items
  • Staff working to update the existing noise analysis conducted in April 2013 to include the frontage road
    • Berg-Oliver contracted to provide the Traffic Noise Technical Report update
  • City working with TxDOT to request an extension of the jurisdictional determination from the Army Corps of Engineers, regarding the Corps' determination that there were no jurisdictional wetlands within the limits of the frontage road project. 
  • Final costs to be determined following completion of all Environmental requirements and with TxDOT clearance
  • TxDOT indicated an additional AFA between TxDOT and Brazoria County will be required to add the project to the Toll Lane project 

October 2018 memo

 September

• AFA
  • Necessary to obtain TxDOT engineering and interaction with the Federal Highway Administration to allow the City and County to design and construct roadways within TxDOT's right of way
  • Will also cover the required cost of reviewing schematic design(s), final design plans, drainage study, and other pertinent documentation associated with each project
  • Unlike previous AFAs, agreement does not provide for a cost sharing with the State
    • City and County will bear the costs of both design and construction per the previously executed interlocal approved July 9
• Design contract for off-site drainage 
  • approved by Council
  • HDR began design work and coordination with City of Pearland, Brazoria County, BDD$, and PEDC in preparation for establishing project logistics and layout 
• Next Steps
  • Present AFA to Council for approval on September 17
  • Coordinate a TIP and Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) amendment through HGAC, which will allow TxDOT to environmentally clear the project
  • Conduct a noise analysis along the proposed frontage road alignment
  • HDR to complete the esign of the SH 288 NB Frontage RD (CR 59- FM 518) and SH 288 NB Frontage Road Off-Site Drainage projects and provide an updated schedule
  • Brazoria County to issue change order to Pulice Construction contract. 

September 2018

July

• Background
  • SH 288 Northbound Frontage Road Project 
    • originally scheduled to receive TIP funding in 2025
    • funding accelerated through an agreement between Brazoria County, PEDC, and the City
      • project accelerated to take advantage of beneficial unit pricing the County received for the SH 288 Toll Lanes that would allow the County to add the Frontage Road work to the Toll Lane contract via Change Order 
• Design Contract for FM 518 NB Frontage Rd
  • HDR Engineering awarded Design Contract
    • Notice to Proceed awarded on April 12
  • Scope: 
    • the reversal of the ramps between CR 59 and FM 518, the construction of the frontage road and a u-turn on the northside of CR 59. Also included in the scope of work is a shared use sidewalk and a storm sewer.
    • All of the work for the SH 288 Northbound Frontage Road project is contained in existing ROW which already has a Categorical Exclusion environmental delineation.
  • Drainage System
    •  design of the drainage system independent of the Frontage Road project
• Contract for Drainage Design
  •  mitigation of the drainage impact for new roadway important
  • Staff consider it advantageous to solicit a proposal from HDR for design of the roadway drainage and existing drainage issues
  • Scope
    • design phase will include identifying existing drainage requirements and the collection of additional data, coordination with pertinent entities that may include TxDOT, Corps of Engineers, Brazoria County, and Brazoria Drainage District 4. HDR will prepare contract documents using existing bid item pricing, any necessary permits, and provide responses and clarification to the contractor.
  • Fee
    •  Scope of work total: $208,177.50
• Recommendation
  •  Staff present the proposal from HDR to Council for consideration in early August and will recommend approval and award
  • Design phase will commence immediately and construction is expected to start in third quarter of 2019.

July 2018 memo

March

• Background
  • Overview
    • would provide relief from SH288 for vehicles traveling from CR59 to FM518
    • provide managed access points for development east of SH 288 
    • would relieve congestion at the FM 518/ CR 94 intersection from the shopping center
  • Funding
    • Project selected in the 2015 Houston-GAlveston Area Council Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
      • proposed for funding in 2025
    • City and Pearland Economic Development Council (PEDC) have each budgeted half of the design costs in FY 2017.
    • Advanced Funding Agreement w/ TxDOT
      • required before beginning design work
      • TxDOT needs to review and process our environmental document and engineering plans 
      • Concerns noted by TxDOT
        • City contracted with HDR, Inc to assit in quick development of technical memo to address TxDOT concerns
          • HDR known for SH288 Toll Lanes Program Manager from Brazoria County
          • has knowledge of where the alignment of entrance and exit ramps are located and have 
    • Staff reviewed doc and preparing to return to HDR 
    • Next steps will involve meeting with TxDOT to discuss the project and the AFA. 

March 2017 memo.