The TxDOT Houston District is proposing design changes on State Highway (SH) 146 from Spencer Highway to Red Bluff Road in Harris County, Texas. The proposed changes are expected to improve mobility and congestion, accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, and facilitate hurricane evacuation.

Currently, SH 146 is a four-lane divided freeway from Spencer Highway to Red Bluff Road. There are existing north and southbound frontage roads between Spencer Highway and McCabe Road. The access is limited from Port Road and Red Bluff Road to the existing southbound frontage road. SH 146 (Red Bluff Road to Spencer Highway) is part of a multi-segment improvement plan along SH 146, which started as a Major Investment Study conducted in the late 1990s. SH 146 serves as a major roadway connecting Houston to Galveston.

Previously Approved Improvements

From Spencer Highway to Fairmont Parkway

• Add one lane in each direction on the mainlanes
• Reconstruct the bridge over Little Cedar Bayou
• Reconstruct the ramps to connect into the mainlanes

From Fairmont Parkway to Red Bluff Road

• Add one lane in each direction on the mainlanes
• Reconstruct the mainlanes to tie into two existing ramps and direct connectors before Port Road
• Reconstruct the ramps to connect into the mainlanes
• Construct two-lane frontage roads in each direction from McCabe Road to Shoreacres Boulevard
• Reconstruct northbound frontage road south of Shoreacres Boulevard
• Construct two-lane northbound frontage roads from Port Road to Red Bluff Road
• Convert two-way frontage roads to one-way southbound from Port Road to Red Bluff Road
• Reconstruct the bridges over Fairmont Parkway and Taylor Lake
• Add an additional lane in each direction to bridges over Wharton Weems Boulevard, Boggy Bayou/Drainage, Shoreacres Boulevard, and Red Bluff Road
• Two ramp reversals in the southbound lane between Port Road and Red Bluff Road

Proposed  Design Changes

From Spencer Highway to Fairmont Parkway

• Add sidewalks along the frontage roads from Spencer Highway to Fairmont Parkway

From Fairmont Parkway to Red Bluff Road

• Restripe the bridge at Port Road from two lanes to three lanes in each direction
• Add sidewalks along the frontage roads from Fairmont Parkway to McCabe Road and on east of SH 146 from Port Road to Red Bluff Road
• Add sidepaths in each direction between McCabe Road and Shoreacres Boulevard 

The proposed design changes are not anticipated to require any additional right of way or result in any additional displacements.

Next Steps

• Evaluate public meeting comments
• Finalize environmental review
• Complete final design
• Construction would begin when funding becomes available

Get Involved

Your input is a key part of project development. Public involvement opportunities would be provided throughout this process.

Downloads

• Project Location Map
• Schematics:
  • Spencer Highway to Fairmont Parkway
  • Wharton Weems Boulevard to Shoreacres Boulevard
  • Port Road to Red Bluff Road

Contact Us

Reference the following project numbers: 0389-05-129 & 0389-05-087

TxDOT Houston District
(713) 802-5076
Email