US 290/SH 36 Interchange - Brenham, Washington County
TxDOT's Bryan District is currently developing design concepts 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.
Project overview
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 Spring of 2021, based on TxDOT’s technical evaluation, local stakeholder 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 clover leaf intersection.
The proposed US 290 direct connect interchange will bridge over State Highway 36 just south of the current clover leaf intersection. Traffic on US 290 will flow continuously through the interchange with entrance and exit ramps to and from State Highway 36 and tie in west of Westwood Lane. The current clover leaf intersection will be removed and reconfigured with new ramps to State Highway 36. In addition, US 290 west of Berlin Road will be widened to a four-lane divided highway consisting of two-lanes in each direction separated by a grassy median all the way to FM 2679 to improve safety and mobility along this corridor.
Next steps
- Continue meetings with affected property owners
- Continue refinement of the proposed interchange design
- Continue to receive comments and review feedback
- Continue environmental studies within project footprint
- Anticipate Public Hearing in early 2023
- Estimated start of construction is 2026
Get involved
Public involvement will be an ongoing process.