US 59 upgrade Shepherd to Trinity River (future I-69)
Project overview
This project is dedicated to improving safety and mobility along US 59 (Future I-69) from 0.74 mile south of FM 223 (Church St.) to 0.70 mile north of Trinity River in San Jacinto and Polk Counties, Texas.
TxDOT is proposing to upgrade existing US 59 to a controlled access roadway by constructing frontage roads and reconstructing the US 59 mainlanes. The project would improve connectivity, reduce congestion, increase mobility, and enhance safety. It would be designed to meet interstate standards for possible future designation as I-69 and:
- Enhance safety and improve mobility along US 59
- Provide a more efficient hurricane evacuation route
- Provide system connectivity to I-69, which is a 1,600-mile national highway connecting Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. I-69 also provides access to inland ports and seaports along the gulf coast
Proposed improvements
The proposed project includes the following:
- Reconstruction of US 59 mainlanes to provide four 12-foot travel lanes, two in each direction, 4-foot-wide inside shoulders, and 12-foot-wide outside shoulders
- Construction of one-way northbound and southbound frontage roads with two 12-foot lanes, four-foot inside shoulders, and 10-foot outside shoulders from FM 223 to Trinity River (may include note of small section of southbound FR that is not continuous)
- Construction of 6-foot sidewalks along the frontage roads from FM 223 to Lake Pool Road
- Construction of bridges over the Trinity River, Big Creek and other waters of the U.S. Turnarounds (U-turns) would be provided at the Trinity River;
- Construction of overpasses with turnarounds (U-turns) at FM 1127 and Lake Pool Road/SL 424
Project timeline
- Construction funding for the $279.3 million project was allocated in TxDOT’s Unified Transportation Program (UTP) with construction anticipated to start in 2029
- Surveying and data collection for schematic and environmental studies began in 2020
- The schematic and environmental studies are anticipated to be completed in spring 2025
- Detailed engineering plans, ROW acquisition, and utility relocation are anticipated to begin in 2025. These processes must be completed before construction can begin and may take three to four years to complete.
Get involved
- Virtual public hearing with in-person option - Dec. 19, 2024
- Virtual public meeting with in-person option - April 27, 2023