US-290 between Austin and Houston thread (future freeway-ish upgrades when?)

[thisdj78]

Expansion proposed for 290 toll road between Manor and Elgin

https://www.kxan.com/traffic/traffic-projects/expansion-proposed-for-290-toll-road-between-manor-and-elgin/

[MaxConcrete]

Expansion proposed for 290 toll road between Manor and Elgin

https://www.kxan.com/traffic/traffic-projects/expansion-proposed-for-290-toll-road-between-manor-and-elgin/

There's no time to waste to get that project moving forward, since right-of-way is surely at risk.

The extension really needs to extend to the east side of Elgin, which would most likely require a bypass. Of course that will be more difficult than ending the toll road extension on the west side of Elgin, so I'm expecting the path of least resistance (i.e. terminating the extension on the west side of Elgin).

[thisdj78]

Expansion proposed for 290 toll road between Manor and Elgin

https://www.kxan.com/traffic/traffic-projects/expansion-proposed-for-290-toll-road-between-manor-and-elgin/

There's no time to waste to get that project moving forward, since right-of-way is surely at risk.

The extension really needs to extend to the east side of Elgin, which would most likely require a bypass. Of course that will be more difficult than ending the toll road extension on the west side of Elgin, so I'm expecting the path of least resistance (i.e. terminating the extension on the west side of Elgin).

They may just have build it through Elgin like 290 is thru Brenham (or just to the south). Seems to be a narrow ROW around Brenham too, do you know if 290 was formerly a surface street on the path that it currently is thru Brenham?

[Bobby5280]

I think the US-290 bypass around Brenham had its frontage roads built decades ago (like in the 1970's or 80's). Freeway segments have been patched in over the years.

It will be interesting to see what kind of path they choose to take for the US-290 toll road extension. They'll probably have to upgrade in place thru Manor since there is so much residential development above and below the 290 corridor. Most of the properties along US-290 are commercial and thus easier to remove via eminent domain. Still, the end result might be either a very skinny highway design or an elevated one cantilevered above the existing 4-lane road.

The only other alternative would be a short multiplex with TX-130 to create a new-terrain Eastbound outlet either North or South of Manor. That seems less likely since a new "Y" system interchange would be required. It would probably just be cheaper and easier building in or above the existing US-290 ROW.

[TheBox]

Expansion proposed for 290 toll road between Manor and Elgin

https://www.kxan.com/traffic/traffic-projects/expansion-proposed-for-290-toll-road-between-manor-and-elgin/

There it is, the final piece of the puzzle finally

Between this, the Giddings bypass, the Brenham realignment, and the Chappell Hill overpass combined, oh yeah it's all coming together

[thisdj78]

Expansion proposed for 290 toll road between Manor and Elgin

https://www.kxan.com/traffic/traffic-projects/expansion-proposed-for-290-toll-road-between-manor-and-elgin/

There it is, the final piece of the puzzle finally

Between this, the Giddings bypass, the Brenham realignment, and the Chappell Hill overpass combined, oh yeah it's all coming together

I passed through Chappell Hill today and noticed construction activity at the light there. I figured they were getting ready to build the overpass....nope, they are build an R-Cut intersection. This seems silly considering that the ultimate plan is to build an overpass. A lot of work that will need to be torn down in a few years. Unless the median will be wide enough to accommodate the future overpass:

http://txdot.gov/en/home/projects/projects-studies/bryan/us290-improvement-project.html

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.kvue.com/video/traffic/us-290-toll-road-extension-plan-moves-forward/269-2677c933-82b3-4249-b754-5cdc67ef369d

This project extends the Manor Toll Road (US 290) another 13 miles from its current eastern terminus at SH 45/130 interchange to SH 95 in Elgin.

[thisdj78]

HIGHWAY 290 MOBILITY STUDY IN GIDDINGS ON PAUSE

https://kwhi.com/2024/09/28/highway-290-mobility-study-in-giddings-on-pause/

[ski-man]

HIGHWAY 290 MOBILITY STUDY IN GIDDINGS ON PAUSE

https://kwhi.com/2024/09/28/highway-290-mobility-study-in-giddings-on-pause/

According to their dates it is only on hold till the end of this month (Aug '25)

[TheBox]

Whiling in that note, this is from The 2026 TxDOT UTP thread

"The project in Brenham received $80 million in new funding, and the $310 million project cost is now fully funded.

But elsewhere on the US 290 corridor there are no other projects. Surprisingly, the planned overpass at Chappell Hill is not in the UTP.

The Giddings bypass study needs to present its recommendation before we'll see that project appear in the UTP."

[thisdj78]

HIGHWAY 290 MOBILITY STUDY IN GIDDINGS ON PAUSE

https://kwhi.com/2024/09/28/highway-290-mobility-study-in-giddings-on-pause/

According to their dates it is only on hold till the end of this month (Aug '25)

Yeah, I meant to add that it ends this month.

[thisdj78]

Highway 290 expansion: Wheels moving with TEO community meetings

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/highway-290-expansion-wheels-moving-teo-community-meetings

[TheBox]

Highway 290 expansion: Wheels moving with TEO community meetings

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/highway-290-expansion-wheels-moving-teo-community-meetings

So how wide will US-290 east of TX-130 have to be?

I'm always of the opinion that only several old places in Manor will have to be shutdown, if they're willing to settle with squeezing it through the recent development which isn't in the way of the potential ROW as much.

But I have a gut feeling they'll want to be as wide as US-290/Manor Expy within TX-130

[MaxConcrete]

Highway 290 expansion: Wheels moving with TEO community meetings

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/highway-290-expansion-wheels-moving-teo-community-meetings

So how wide will US-290 east of TX-130 have to be?

I'm always of the opinion that only several old places in Manor will have to be shutdown, if they're willing to settle with squeezing it through the recent development which isn't in the way of the potential ROW as much.

But I have a gut feeling they'll want to be as wide as US-290/Manor Expy within TX-130

The meeting announcement and presentation materials offer very few clues about the potential corridor width, but it does say "The proposed project could, subject to final design considerations, require additional right-of-way and potentially displace residential and non-residential structures." Notice the word could, which suggests it can be done without right-of-way acquisition.

The existing corridor is around 300 feet wide on the west end near Manor, and 240 feet wide in the rural section between Manor and Elgin.

The corridor width of the existing toll road west of SH 130 is generally a minimum of 420 feet.

I think it is very unlikely there will be a 420-foot-wide corridor. I'm thinking 300 feet maximum. I think it is possible they will squeeze the toll road into the existing 240-foot-wide corridor, especially at Red Elm Parkway, where housing will need to be displaced to widen the corridor.

So far I have not seen any indication if the toll extension will stop on the west side of Elgin, or if it will continue through Elgin. If it continues through Elgin, then  Elgin is the biggest right-of-way problem because the corridor width is below 200 feet in places. There are areas where there appears to be a ROW preserved for a 240-foot-wide corridor, such as here.

My best guess is that they'll get a 300-foot-wide corridor where it can be done without displacements (or only minimal displacements), and in other areas they'll squeeze the toll road into the narrowest possible corridor, around 240 feet. A narrow corridor would be the consequence of yet another planning failure to preserve right-of-way.

[TheBox]

Highway 290 expansion: Wheels moving with TEO community meetings

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/highway-290-expansion-wheels-moving-teo-community-meetings

So how wide will US-290 east of TX-130 have to be?

I'm always of the opinion that only several old places in Manor will have to be shutdown, if they're willing to settle with squeezing it through the recent development which isn't in the way of the potential ROW as much.

But I have a gut feeling they'll want to be as wide as US-290/Manor Expy within TX-130

The meeting announcement and presentation materials offer very few clues about the potential corridor width, but it does say "The proposed project could, subject to final design considerations, require additional right-of-way and potentially displace residential and non-residential structures." Notice the word could, which suggests it can be done without right-of-way acquisition.

The existing corridor is around 300 feet wide on the west end near Manor, and 240 feet wide in the rural section between Manor and Elgin.

The corridor width of the existing toll road west of SH 130 is generally a minimum of 420 feet.

I think it is very unlikely there will be a 420-foot-wide corridor. I'm thinking 300 feet maximum. I think it is possible they will squeeze the toll road into the existing 240-foot-wide corridor, especially at Red Elm Parkway, where housing will need to be displaced to widen the corridor.

So far I have not seen any indication if the toll extension will stop on the west side of Elgin, or if it will continue through Elgin. If it continues through Elgin, then Elgin is the biggest right-of-way problem because the corridor width is below 200 feet in places. There are areas where there appears to be a ROW preserved for a 240-foot-wide corridor, such as here.

My best guess is that they'll get a 300-foot-wide corridor where it can be done without displacements (or only minimal displacements), and in other areas they'll squeeze the toll road into the narrowest possible corridor, around 240 feet. A narrow corridor would be the consequence of yet another planning failure to preserve right-of-way.

Should the Elgin bypass be south of it or north of it?

[Bobby5280]

I think a new US-290 toll road or freeway could bypass Elgin to the South. Too many newer homes have been built on the NW side of Elgin to make a North bypass feasible. If they try to route a new superhighway along the existing US-290 alignment thru Elgin they'll probably have to build an elevated structure to avoid demolishing too many properties. But elevated freeway structures are costly. And not too many home owners like the idea of opening their front door and seeing a superhighway looming over their front yard.

[TheBox]

Also how wide is I-45/North Fwy between Beltway 8 and north of Downtown currently for reference?

[thisdj78]

I think a new US-290 toll road or freeway could bypass Elgin to the South. Too many newer homes have been built on the NW side of Elgin to make a North bypass feasible. If they try to route a new superhighway along the existing US-290 alignment thru Elgin they'll probably have to build an elevated structure to avoid demolishing too many properties. But elevated freeway structures are costly. And not too many home owners like the idea of opening their front door and seeing a superhighway looming over their front yard.

They could use most of the existing route without it being elevated. The only businesses that may need to be relocated are between Cardinal St and 11th street in Elgin.

[thisdj78]

I think a new US-290 toll road or freeway could bypass Elgin to the South. Too many newer homes have been built on the NW side of Elgin to make a North bypass feasible. If they try to route a new superhighway along the existing US-290 alignment thru Elgin they'll probably have to build an elevated structure to avoid demolishing too many properties. But elevated freeway structures are costly. And not too many home owners like the idea of opening their front door and seeing a superhighway looming over their front yard.

They could use most of the existing route without it being elevated. The only businesses that may need to be relocated are between Cardinal St and 11th street in Elgin.

Also how wide is I-45/North Fwy between Beltway 8 and north of Downtown currently for reference?

Looks like between 250-275ft including frontage roads.