Pearland City might see some changes making their way through town if the newly proposed expansion to Shadow Creek Parkway gets underway. The Texas Department of Transportation recently shared a proposal to area residents and local officials which detailed plans for road improvements, namely widening the road to address traffic congestion and safety.

“If approved, FM 2234 (Shadow Creek Parkway) will be expanded to four lanes from FM 521 to SH 288,” Project Manager Kyle Bertrand shared during a TxDoT presentation. The proposed changes would include three miles within the existing right of way in Brazoria and Fort Bend Counties, and the project would total $18.5 million.

“The road improvements will help reduce traffic congestion,” Bertrand shared. This will be beneficial as the road has seen 23 accidents and 3 fatalities in the last three years, which TxDoT official Karen Coopersmith commented on during the presentation, “Safety is one of the biggest problems to be addressed by the proposed improvements.”

Creating a safer and easily travelled road for Pearland is top priority, but ensuring that concerns for the public and local business owners are addressed is pertinent. As Pearland City Councilman Scott Shermann explained, “This is a highly travelled road and it is clear that the traffic volumes will be increasing in the next few years rather than decreasing. That said, in order for this to be a successful project, TxDoT needs to listen to the concerns of the business owners along 2234…and appropriately deal with the concerns. While the expansion of 2234 is a necessary and important project we cannot afford for it to occur to the detriment of the business owners who have chosen to establish their businesses on the roadway.”

The initial plans indicate that no businesses or homes would have to be relocated, and that no noise barriers would need to be constructed. Other concerns which still need to be addressed included comments on potential problems with the driveways and median cuts, as well as the possibility of installing a red light at the entrance to Nolan Ryan Junior High, and the necessity to accommodate the needs of the Second Baptist Church currently under construction.

“This is a wonderful idea,” said state representative Dr. Alma Allen. “I am in support of the road changes. This portion of my district is growing very quickly and traffic is a problem. Any road improvement in this area is something I support.” And Allen is not the only one – project officials hope to move forward with the changes to create a road and area that is welcoming and safe for current and future residents.

Source: www.hcnonline.com/pearland_journal