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. The purpose of the project is to accommodate project population growth and future travel demand within the project limits through design year 2057, improve mobility and reduce congestion consistent with regional traffic forecasts.
Current conditions
FM 517, from SH 35 to McFarland Road, currently exists as an undivided roadway with two 12-foot-wide travel lanes (one in each direction), 9.5-foot-wide shoulders and open vegetated ditches or swales.
Between McFarland Road and 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.
From FM 646 to I-45, the existing roadway consists of four 12-foot-wide travel lanes (two in each direction), a 14-foot-wide center left-turn lane, and no shoulders in a curb-and-gutter drainage section. There are 5-foot-wide sidewalks on the north side of the roadway and intermittent 4-foot-wdie sidewalks on the south side of the roadway.
The existing right-of-way (ROW) width for all segments of FM 517 is approximately 100-feet.
Project background
The FM 517 project was originated in 2013 by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), from which, a FM 517 and SH 3 Access Management Plan (Plan) was developed. The Plan identified that the segment of FM 517, between FM 646 and I-45, experiences the most congestion (poor level of service), the highest crash rating, and a higher density of driveways accessed by use of the center left turn lane when compared to other segments within the project limits. TxDOT began evaluating the need for improvement to FM 517 in 2016. Existing conditions data was collected and evaluated to identify the roadway’s needs. Once they were identified, the project team began developing alternatives to address the issues.
A public meeting was held in 2016 to present the proposed project and two build alternatives. A public hearing was later conducted in 2021 to present the preferred alternative and a copy of the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) document. The EA was finalized post-hearing and the project received environmental approval on Oct. 30, 2023.
The original FM 517 (SH 35 to FM 646) project improvements included widening the existing two-lane facility to four lanes, with two 12-foot-wide travel lanes in each direction with an 18-foot-wide raised grass median with turn lanes. To accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, 14-foot-wide shoulders and 10-foot-wide shared-use paths, were designed on both sides of the roadway.
FM 517 improvements, from FM 646 to I-45, included adding a 16-foot-wide raised median with turn lanes, which was constructed in 2024.
Current proposed improvements
TxDOT has modified the proposed improvements, from what was previously publicized, to accommodate proper drainage needs. The revised design includes removal of the proposed raised median, which has been replaced with a flush, continuous 14-foot-wide, two-way left -turn lane, the addition of drainage ditches and five (5) off-site stormwater detention ponds.
The revised design for FM 517, between SH 35 and FM 646, includes a 10-foot-wide path on each side of the roadway to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians. FM 517, between FM 646 and I-45, includes adding an 8- to 10-foot-wide shared use path on the north side of the roadway and a continuous, 4-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side of the roadway.
Approximately 80.1 acres of additional right of way (ROW) would be required to accommodate the revised design and would require potential displacements.
A copy of the revised project schematic can be downloaded for viewing below.
Next steps
Due to on-going design changes since the original environmental decision, TxDOT plans on hosting a public meeting with an in-person option at a future date. To receive updates on this project please enter your email address in the box on the right-side of the screen to sign-up for updates.
Get involved
Downloads
Project Reference:
CSJs:1002-01-006, 1002-02-016, and 0978-01-039