SH 35 Major Corridor Feasibility Study Harris and Brazoria Counties

Project Description | Study Area Map | Public Meetings

Introduction

The Houston District of the Texas Department of Transportation is conducting a Major Corridor Feasibility Study for an approximate 47-mile segment of SH 35, located in Harris and Brazoria Counties, from IH 45 in Downtown Houston to SH 288 in the City of Angleton. The purpose of the study is to evaluate all reasonable alternative modes of transportation and travel routes and select the Most Feasible Alternative that will improve existing and future mobility and safety conditions along the SH 35 corridor. Cities and communities along the corridor include Houston, Pearland, Brookside Village, Alvin, Manvel, Hillcrest Village, Danbury and Angleton. The study is expected to conclude in Fall 2007.

• Volume I, Fall 2003
• Volume II, Summer 2004

Study Process

The SH 35 MCFS process began with a broad list of possible transportation improvements. This list was shortened to a manageable combination of alternatives for detailed analysis. Following the detailed analysis, the study team recommended the Most Feasible Alternative — the alternative that most achieved the study goals. Click here for a flow chart describing the study process.

Though the identification of transportation needs in the corridor, a set of goals were established to guide the development of the study. These goals are to…

• Improve North-South Mobility along the Corridor
• Provide a Multi-Modal Transportation System
• Improve Transportation Infrastructure
• Preserve and Enhance Social / Community and Economic Viability
• Protect the Natural Environment
• Improve Safety for the Traveling Public

At the beginning of the study process, a broad "universe" of "stand-alone" transportation alternatives were considered. These alternatives consisted of possible Arterial Improvements to existing SH 35, the development of new Controlled Access highways (freeways and tollways), Public Transportation improvements and System Management considerations. These "stand-alone" alternatives were subjected to a qualitative analysis to assess their ability to satisfy the goals of the study. Based on this analysis, the broad list of alternatives was reduced to more manageable list of Viable Alternatives

Each Viable Alternative represents a combination of various "stand-alone" alternatives. The Arterial, Public Transit and System Management components were held the same for each Viable Alternative; however, the Controlled Access component varied among the Viable Alternatives. The Viable Alternatives were subjected to a rigorous quantitative analysis process to evaluate how they could satisfy the Study’s Goals. The three Viable Alternatives that were considered are the Mykawa Corridor, the MLK Corridor and the Hybrid Corridor.

The initial recommendation included the selection of the Hybrid Corridor as the Most Feasible Alternative. However, public input gathered at the August 2005 Public Meetings resulted in the reconsideration of this recommendation. Coordination with the City of Pearland has resulted in the selection of the Mykawa Corridor as the Revised Most Feasible Alternative.

March 2007 Public Meetings

The Revised Most Feasible Alternative was presented at the March 2007 Public Meetings. To view the exhibits, print handouts and review the information presented at these meetings, please visit our Public Meetings page.

Project Timeline

Click Here for a timeline of environmental, design, right of way and construction activities for the development of the SH 35 Tollway from IH 45 to Alvin.

Mr. Jim Heacock – Project Manager
Texas Department of Transportation
Telephone: (713) 802-5265
Email: jheacoc@dot.state.tx.us