TxDOT schedules meeting on 146 expansion

State transportation officials are seeking the public’s input on the planned $200 million expansion of Texas 146 from Red Bluff Road to FM 518.

The Texas Department of Transportation will hold a open house meeting from 5:307:30 p.m. May 28 at James F. Bay Elementary, 1502 Bayport Blvd. in Seabrook.

Officials will provide updates on the project and field concerns from residents and business representative.

Beginning at Red Bluff Road in Harris County, Texas 146 will be expanded south to FM 518 in Galveston County.

Construction crews will also widen and restructure the existing four-lane divided roadway to a six- to twelvelane expressway over Clear Creek, according to TxDOT.

A new expressway bridge will be built west of and parallel to the Seabrook-Kemah Bridge. The current bridge will remain and serve as a frontage road for motorists. The project is designed to reduce congestion, especially during rush hour, and to accommodate hurricane and emergency evacuation. The improvements may require additional right of way including residential and commercial displacements, according to TxDOT.

“The city of Seabrook has anxiously awaited the expansion of (Texas 146) for over 20 years and for the past two years council and staff have worked closely with TxDOT to get this project started due to increased congestion and growth in Seabrook,” said Seabrook City Manager Gayle Cook.

In anticipation of the improvements, the city plans to build a 500-space Park and Ride in Kemah in late 2015 to early 2016, in partnership with The Gulf Coast Center and Houston-Galveston Area Council, he said. Kemah City Council also has approved future one-way streets into the Kemah Lighthouse/Boardwalk districts along Sixth and Seventh streets, Beverlin said. Written comments from the public about the project may be presented for a period of 10 business days after the meeting. Comments may be sub-

mitted in person or by mail to the TxDOT District Office, Director of Project Development, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, TX 77251.

Comments must be postmarked or emailed to hou-piowebmail@txdot.gov by June 11. For more about the project, call TxDOT at 713-802-5269.