US 290/SH 36 Interchange - Brenham, Washington County
TxDOT's Bryan District is currently planning to improve the intersection of US 290 at SH 36 in Brenham, Texas, Washington County. The US 290 interchange is one of the busiest interchanges in Washington County. It serves as an important local, regional, and statewide roadway connection.
The purpose of the project is to improve safety, reduce congestion, maintain local connectivity, and improve regional mobility by providing continuous flow on US 290.
The project limits extend from FM 389 (Prairie Lea Street) to CR 49 (Windy Acres Road) for a length of approximately 3.25 miles. The proposed project would construct a new interchange at the intersection of US 290 and SH 36 that provides continuous traffic flow via two lanes in each direction along US 290 with direct connectivity to SH 36. The existing two-way frontage roads would be converted to one-way frontage roads, and access to local roads from US 290 would be provided by upgraded entrance and exit ramps. The existing cloverleaf ramps will be removed. Proposed improvements also include the reconstruction of the Old Mill Creek and BUS 290 (Main Street) bridges and the construction of a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists along the project corridor.
Current project status
A public hearing was held in January 2024 to present the proposed project and collect public comments on the updated design. A draft environmental assessment was presented and available for viewing at the hearing.
A final environmental assessment is now available for viewing. Currently, long-lead time utilities are being cleared and right of way is being acquired. Additionally, a design-build contract is being procured.
Update: The project is anticipated to begin construction in late 2028.
Project history
Planning for this project started in 2018. In March 2019, three concepts were originally presented and shared with Brenham City Council and Washington County Commissioners Court. Based on City and County feedback, TxDOT developed two additional concepts for a total of five concepts, which were presented in a November 2020 virtual public meeting. The five interchange concepts are listed below:
- Concept A: Diverging Diamond Interchange
- Revised Concept B: Central Direct Connect
- Concept C: Split, Northern Connection
- Concept D: Northern Connection
- Concept E: Southern Connection
All concepts include the following: (i) the expansion of US 290 at SH 36 connection from one to two lanes; (ii) convert frontage roads to one-way; (iii) update the entrance and exit ramps to current standards; and (iv) accommodating bicyclists and pedestrians within the urban settings. Right-of-way acquisition would be required for all concepts.
In the Spring of 2021, based on TxDOT’s technical evaluation, local stakeholders and public input, we announced through a press release that Revised Concept B – Central Direct Connect was the selected alternative for further development, which consists of a modernized direct connect interchange design that would ultimately replace the existing cloverleaf intersection.
Get involved
Public involvement will be an ongoing process.