FM 517 from SH 35 to I-45

Introduction

The proposed project extends from SH 35 to I-45, between Alvin and Dickinson, for approximately 9.8 miles. Proposed improvements on FM 517 would accommodate future anticipated traffic demand and growth in the region. The purpose of the proposed project is to accommodate future anticipated traffic demand and growth in the region, as well as improve safety and mobility by constructing a divided roadway with raised medians.

Current conditions

The existing FM 517 roadway from SH 35 to McFarland Road consists of two 12-foot-wide travel lanes (one in each direction) with no median and 9.5-foot-wide shoulders and open vegetated ditches or swales. The existing right-of-way (ROW) in this section of the project is approximately 100-feet in width.

From McFarland Road to FM 646, the existing roadway has two 12-foot-wide travel lanes (one in each direction), a 14-foot-wide center left-turn lane, 4-foot-wide shoulders, and open vegetated ditches or swales. The existing ROW in this section of the project is approximately 100 feet in width.

From FM 646 to I-45, the existing roadway consists of four 12-foot-wide travel lanes (two in each direction), 5-foot-wide sidewalks in each direction, with a 14-foot-wide center left-turn lane, and no shoulders in a curb-and-gutter drainage section. The existing ROW in this section of the project is approximately 100-feet.

Project background

The FM 517 project was initiated in 2013 by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). The HGAC prepared the FM 517 and SH 3 Access Management Plan. The Plan identified that the area between FM 646 and I-45 contains the most congestion, highest crash rate along the proposed project limits, and a high density of driveways accessed by the center left turn lane. TxDOT began evaluating the needed improvements to FM 517 in 2016. At the start of the project, existing conditions data was collected and evaluated to identify corridor needs. Once needs were identified the project team began developing alternatives.

A public meeting was held in 2016 to present the proposed project and two design alternatives. A public hearing was in head in 2021 to present the preferred alternative. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was completed for the project and the project received environmental approval on Oct. 30, 2023. Since the approval of the EA the design has been progressing and TxDOT is proposing modifications to the project from SH 35 to FM 646.

Proposed improvements

The original FM 517 (SH 35 to I-45) project improvements included widening the existing two-lane facility to four lanes with two 12-foot-wide travel lanes in each direction, and between FM 646 and I-45, the improvements include adding an 18-foot-wide raised median with turn lanes. The project additionally planned for 14-foot-wide shoulders and 10-foot-wide shared-use paths, for pedestrians and bicyclists, on both sides of the roadway. Since the approval of this project design modifications have been proposed.

TxDOT is proposing to modify the design that was previously publicized from SH 35 to FM 646 to accommodate drainage. The proposed design changes include the addition of drainage ditches and off-site stormwater detention ponds.

Approximately 34 additional acres of right of way (ROW) would be required to accommodate the design changes. The proposed design changes would require potential displacements.

Next steps

TxDOT will host a virtual public meeting with an in-person option to present the proposed design changes to the public in mid-2025. To receive updates on this project please enter to email address in the box on the right-side of the screen to sign-up for updates.