FM 521 Widening
SALIENT FEATURES
Signal Warrant Analysis
Left-turn Model Evaluation
Signal Design
Signing & Marking Design
Illumination Design
CTMS Design
Construction Cost: $82M
CLIENT
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Houston District
LOCATION:
Fort Bend County, Texas
BACKGROUND
Located in Fort Bend County, FM 521 is a major thoroughfare. Because of the development of multiple subdivisions, the traffic along FM 521 between Highway 6 and FM 2234 has increased significantly in recent years. It is an undivided open ditch roadway with two lanes for a section and four lanes for the remaining section. A Union Pacific Railroad runs parallel to FM 521 on the west side of FM 521. There are a couple of creeks that cross the roadway within the section. There are five signalized intersections including a fire station. Funded by Fort Bend County, this project widens FM 521 to a divided 4-lane section.
PROJECT FEATURE
The project includes widening of existing asphalt roadway to a divided 4-lane concrete roadway with curb and gutter and raised median. Left-turn/U-turn lanes will be included for all intersections and some mid-block locations. Initially buffered bike lanes were included on both sides of FM 521. However, following 90% submittal, buffered bike lanes were eliminated, and a shared used path was included north of FM 521 to match with the design south of SH 6. The intersection of FM 521 and Broadway Street will be converted to a partial cloverleaf grade separated interchange. The project includes a sidewalk on the east side of FM 521.
A new ITS system has been designed for this Hurricane Evacuation Route to provide Variable Message Signs (VMS), Radar Vehicle Detection System, Bluetooth, and Fiber Optics for the entire section. The Broadway Bridge will have illumination.
RELEVANT SERVICES
infraTECH has performed traffic studies (Signal Warrant Analysis) and traffic design including signing, pavement markings, signals, ITS, and illumination design and support during construction for this project.