For residents of Fulshear, the maze of orange barrels, survey crews, utility work and road-design activity across western Fort Bend County is part of a much larger transportation buildout now moving through several stages at once.

Fort Bend County Precinct 1’s July mobility update tracks dozens of projects, ranging from relatively small sidewalk connections and traffic signals to major roadway expansions along the Grand Parkway, Fulshear Gaston Road, Rogers Road, Skinner Lane, Hunt Road and Pool Hill Road. Some are already under construction. Others are approaching bidding, acquiring right-of-way or working through drainage, utility and permitting issues before construction can begin.

For people who drive these corridors every day, the important part is not necessarily the engineering terminology. It is understanding which roads are getting closer to construction, where delays remain, and how the county is preparing the transportation network for continued residential, school and commercial growth.

Grand Parkway Projects Move Toward Another Construction Phase

Some of the most consequential work for drivers near Fulshear involves the Grand Parkway, where Fort Bend County is advancing a collection of frontage-road and main-lane projects between FM 1093, Fry Road, Westheimer Parkway, Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Bay Hill Boulevard.

The existing Grand Parkway southbound frontage-road project between FM 1093 and Fry Road remains under construction, with work continuing at sidewalk crossings because of pedestrian-pole deficiencies.

As of the county’s July 21 report, sidewalks at Fry Road, Buffalo Bayou and Westheimer Parkway were open. Areas around Cinco Ranch Boulevard, Bay Hill/Highland Knolls and Kingsland Boulevard had experienced partial closures, although the county reported that concrete flatwork and electrical work had been completed and north-south sidewalk connections were open. Cleanup and brick-paver work remained underway in some locations.

Behind that visible construction is another round of Grand Parkway improvements preparing to move forward.

The southbound frontage road from Bay Hill Boulevard to Cinco Ranch Boulevard was let for bids July 1, and the low bid came within 3% of the engineering estimate. Additional projects involving the northbound and southbound frontage roads between Cinco Ranch, Bay Hill, Westheimer and Fry Road were scheduled for August bidding.

Those projects include:

• Grand Parkway southbound frontage road from Bay Hill Boulevard to Cinco Ranch Boulevard
• Grand Parkway northbound frontage road from Cinco Ranch Boulevard to Bay Hill Boulevard
• Grand Parkway northbound frontage road from Westheimer Parkway to Cinco Ranch Boulevard
• Grand Parkway southbound frontage road from Fry Road to Westheimer Parkway
• Grand Parkway northbound frontage road from Fry Road to Westheimer Parkway
• Main-lane widening over Bay Hill Boulevard in both directions
• Main-lane widening over Cinco Ranch Boulevard in both directions

Plans for the August packages went online for contractor bidding July 13.

Utility Relocations Are an Important Piece of the Grand Parkway Timeline

Before major roadway construction can proceed efficiently, utility companies often have to relocate lines that sit in the future construction footprint.

For the Bay Hill-to-Cinco Ranch project, CenterPoint Energy’s 4-inch gas line had been released for construction with relocation estimated for mid-August. MCI/Verizon also needed to relocate infrastructure after an installation did not follow the approved permit, while Astound received its permit July 17 and was targeting an August 15 completion.

For the Fry Road-to-Westheimer projects, CenterPoint had completed new overhead poles and an underground bore by the time of the report. Cable still needed to be pulled through the underground section and connected to terminal poles, followed by additional overhead work. The county projected approximately mid-August completion.

Comcast was beginning cutover work, while Consolidated Communications was awaiting surveying and staking before starting construction.

Grand Lakes MUD 1 also provided final plans for utility work that is being included in the second construction package, while Cinco MUD 1 had received an approved permit and was preparing for construction expected to take about a month.

The county reported that all frontage-road parcels needed for the projects were in Fort Bend County’s possession. Fort Bend County was also assisting TxDOT with seven additional parcels: one property owner had accepted an offer, one parcel was with the Fort Bend County Attorney’s Office and five were awaiting appraisals.

Wallis Street, Bowser Road and Boothill Bypass Continue Moving Forward

Away from the Grand Parkway, several western Precinct 1 projects are working through design and right-of-way issues.

The Wallis Street project between FM 1093 and FM 359 remains in design. The City changed its approach to a proposed force main and opted to return to the existing 8-inch configuration rather than a previously considered 12-inch line. An amendment request totaling $58,624 was submitted, while another request was being prepared to design a new 8-inch connection between the existing force main and wastewater treatment facility headworks.

The interlocal agreement for the project will also need to be amended. City-related project contributions under discussion include approximately $873,800 for a detention pond, $258,500 for wet-utility upsizing, $342,600 for sidewalks and $510,100 for decorative illumination — approximately $1.985 million combined.

Right-of-way acquisition for Wallis Street has advanced considerably. Of 36 parcels, 32 had closed and four remained in eminent-domain proceedings. Mediation involving one parcel was scheduled for August 11. The TxDOT permit remains on hold while wet-utility revisions are completed.

On Bowser Road, between Winding Stream Drive and Pool Hill Road, 35 of 39 parcels had closed. Three were in eminent-domain proceedings, including one pending settlement, and another active pond parcel had been submitted for acquisition. Revised 95% plans were scheduled for August 7, while TxDOT permit resubmittal was being held until Pool Hill Road changes could be incorporated.

The Boothill Bypass in Simonton has reached design completion, and Fort Bend County Road and Bridge crews were clearing the right-of-way.

Fulshear Gaston Road Projects Advance Alongside New Signals

Fulshear Gaston Road remains one of the major mobility corridors receiving attention as development continues west of Katy and around Fulshear.

Phase 1 includes proposed pedestrian crossings at Candela Heights Boulevard, with Fort Bend County MUD 142 willing to contribute $100,000. An interlocal agreement remained under legal review in July.

Four right-of-way parcels or easements remained active. Two counteroffers involving Poarch Swinbank had been approved and were pending closing, while work continued on Parkway Fellowship property and a TxDOT land swap.

Final design comments were also returned to the engineer, including preliminary traffic-signal plans.

Phase 2 was resubmitted in June and remained in the TxDOT permitting process. The project must also address an easement belonging to the North Fort Bend Water Authority. Depending on the outcome, the easement could be reestablished or the proposed roadway cross-section could have to be narrowed.

Two traffic signals tied to the corridor — Candela Heights Boulevard at FM 359 and Fulshear Gaston Road at FM 359 — were scheduled for bid closings July 28. Both projects were also coordinating power service with TxDOT and CenterPoint.

Mason Road, Shadow Forest and Falcon Landing Improvements Target Turning and Pedestrian Access

Several smaller projects could make noticeable differences at individual intersections.

Fort Bend County is designing a southbound Mason Road right-turn lane at Westpark and working on traffic-signal improvements in the area. The project had reached 95% design review and had been submitted for a TxDOT permit.

A separate signal is planned at Shadow Forest and Westheimer Parkway. That project will extend the sidewalk from the neighborhood to the intersection and add pedestrian elements to the traffic signal. Field surveying was complete and CAD survey work was underway.

On Falcon Landing Boulevard, the county is designing pavement widening within the median to create a dedicated westbound right-turn lane into Rowling Oaks Boulevard. No additional right-of-way is needed, and the project was moving toward its final design submission.

Settegast Ranch and Rogers Road Projects Prepare for Major Changes

Settegast Ranch Road Segment 1 is planned as a substantial upgrade from a two-lane asphalt road to a full boulevard with storm sewer and a 100-foot right-of-way.

The project team was directed to reduce the median width, while roundabout design was temporarily paused until the adjoining Segment 2 design advances.

Segment 2 would create a new two-lane roadway north of the cemetery with roadside ditches within a 100-foot right-of-way. The alignment was revised to move approximately 20 feet farther from the cemetery fence, and the revised concept was shared with cemetery representatives July 17.

Rogers Road is also planned for conversion from a two-lane asphalt roadway into a four-lane boulevard.

For Segment 1, the county plans to move forward with a roundabout, while 10 parcels remained in negotiations. Drainage is a significant part of the design process. Engineers are revising Brookshire Creek watershed models to determine how much capacity may be available within the Fulshear Lake detention system, although the report indicated additional stormwater storage will likely still be necessary.

Rogers Road Segment 2 also calls for a four-lane boulevard but remained on hold pending the Segment 1 drainage results. Thirteen parcels were in negotiations.

Skinner Lane Is Being Designed as a Multi-Segment Corridor

Fort Bend County’s 2023 Mobility Bond program includes four connected Skinner Lane projects.

Segment 1 runs from West Bellfort north toward McCrary Road. Following a July 1 preliminary engineering meeting, minor alignment revisions were requested along with updated right-of-way documents so acquisition can begin in August. An existing floodgate structure is expected to be replaced separately, although the county is exploring whether that work can be incorporated into the project’s bid documents.

Segment 2 focuses largely on drainage and utility coordination. The Fort Bend County Drainage District asked engineers to verify off-site drainage flowing toward existing structures that apparently had not originally been permitted.

Segment 3 continues north toward Brandt Road. Designers were asked to make minor alignment adjustments to provide additional separation from existing homes and buildings, with right-of-way acquisition also expected to begin in August.

Segment 4 extends from Brandt to Mason Road. Its current alignment includes a roundabout that helps resolve a wetlands conflict, while additional drainage information is being incorporated into the preliminary engineering report.

Pool Hill Road Planning Is Tied to a Future School

Pool Hill Road is another multi-segment corridor with long-term growth implications.

Segment 1, from Hunt Road to Rogers Road, is expected to reach 70% design within several months. The design works around existing pipelines so adjustments to those pipelines should not be necessary.

Segments 2 and 3 require additional drainage coordination, particularly because of a future Lamar CISD school campus.

That school creates a significant deadline for Segment 3: according to the Precinct 1 report, the road project needs to be fully constructed before the campus is anticipated to begin classes in August 2029.

The county has also discussed extending a full boulevard section through Segment 2 to Rogers Road.

Hunt Road and Fulshear Bend Drive Build Out Another East-West Connection

Three Hunt Road segments are also advancing.

Segment 1, approaching FM 359, was expected to reach 70% design within about three months of the July report. Right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to begin in August, with the needed property expected to be dedicated by developers.

For Segment 2, TxDOT’s bridge replacement is expected to go to bid in April 2027. The county expects only one tract to require acquisition, with the remaining right-of-way dedicated or donated by developers.

Segment 3 includes a planned roundabout and was expected to reach 70% design in August, excluding full bridge plans. The drainage district requested additional information before approving the study.

Nearby Fulshear Bend Drive, from Woods Road to FM 359, is also progressing through design. Its drainage report received preliminary approval, and 70% plans were expected within roughly three months. The project is coordinating with the City of Fulshear’s planned lift station as well as developer-built storm drainage infrastructure.

More Sidewalk Connections Are Being Designed Across Precinct 1

Precinct 1’s mobility program is not limited to vehicle capacity.

A dedicated sidewalk-improvement project covers several locations.

On South Peek Road, plans were being revised around an inlet detail before returning as a 95% design package.

On South Mason Road, revised 30% plans were under review, with a site walk planned for late July.

Gaston Road plans had also reached the 30% stage. The Grayson Lakes neighborhood requested extending that sidewalk more than a mile farther, from Roesner Road to Ephram Road, to reach the neighborhood’s main access point.

Plans were also being reviewed for Highland Knolls.

On Katy Gaston Road, Precinct 1 asked engineers to fill in a small missing sidewalk segment. A site inspection identified possible conflicts with trees and irrigation, and revised 100% plans were expected.

Greenbusch Road Construction Delayed by Utility Conflicts

Greenbusch Road, from Gaston Road to Westheimer Parkway, is one of the county’s active construction projects.

The roughly $8.4 million project replaces the existing two-lane asphalt road and deep ditches with a two-lane concrete road, storm sewer and a new bridge.

The project also includes a new traffic signal at the Spring Green/Pine Mill Ranch intersection, which is already operational.

Construction began in January 2025, but conflicts involving a CenterPoint gas line and water-service connections are delaying storm-sewer installation. Completion is now expected in February 2027.

Huggins Drive Is Open, With Additional Intersection Work Ahead

The approximately $6.6 million Huggins Drive project between FM 359/Main Street and Katy Fulshear Road is substantially complete and the roadway is open.

The project created a three-lane concrete roadway through a combination of replacement and new construction, along with waterline work and sanitary-sewer relocation.

Additional turn lanes still need to be added at FM 359. Phase 2 design is complete and has been submitted to TxDOT for permitting.

Cinco Ranch Boulevard Signal Expected by November

A new traffic signal at Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Falcon Landing Boulevard was awarded for construction in February.

Construction has not yet received its notice to proceed because of long lead times for signal components, but completion is expected by November 2026.

The county report notes that some residents requested that the signals not be built. Precinct 1 determined the Falcon Landing signal will move forward because the intersection meets traffic-signal warrants.

A separate signal designed for Cinco Ranch Boulevard at Cinco Terrace Drive will not be constructed at this time.

Ginter Library Access Nears Completion

Work around the Ginter Library site has been divided into several phases following Dr. Glen Ginter’s donation of land for the Fort Bend County library.

Utility construction and the access connection from the Texas Heritage Parkway are complete. A third phase involving additional pavement and utilities was nearly complete in July.

A fourth phase will add a right-turn lane from FM 1093 onto Ginter Boulevard. TxDOT agreements and permits are executed, and the county was considering adding that work to the existing construction contract through a change order.

Humphrey Way, Bates Allen Heritage Drive and 1st Street Remain in Design

Three additional mobility bond projects are advancing through preliminary or intermediate design.

Humphrey Way is planned as a new 56-foot-wide concrete roadway with roadside ditches. Right-of-way mapping and acquisition preparation are underway, with a preliminary engineering meeting scheduled for mid-August.

Bates Allen Heritage Drive, previously known as Charlie Roberts Lane, would extend south from Lum Road to the Bates Allen Park entrance at Charlie Roberts Lane. The project is progressing toward 70% design, including an updated bridge design and lighting plan near a proposed roundabout.

The 1st Street project calls for a new 24-foot asphalt roadway with ditches from FM 2919 to Lawson Street, transitioning to a 24-foot concrete roadway between Lawson and Crawford streets.

Its drainage report has received no objection from the Fort Bend County Drainage District. Work continues on the 70% design, right-of-way coordination and detention-basin design, although inconsistent property-boundary records are requiring additional investigation.

What the Precinct 1 Mobility Update Means for Residents

Taken individually, many of these projects can look like routine engineering updates. Together, they show how rapidly Fort Bend County is trying to prepare its transportation network for another generation of growth.

Some improvements are designed to address today's bottlenecks — turn lanes, traffic signals and missing sidewalks. Others are intended to build the larger road network that expanding neighborhoods, schools and commercial development will rely on years from now.

That also means progress will not always be visible from behind the steering wheel. Right-of-way negotiations, drainage modeling, utility relocations, TxDOT permits and construction bidding can consume months before the first piece of heavy equipment reaches a site.

For drivers, homeowners and families across Precinct 1, however, the July update offers a clearer picture of what is coming: more boulevard sections, additional intersection capacity, new pedestrian connections and another major round of Grand Parkway work preparing to move from design into construction.

No projects were listed by Precinct 1 as scheduled to enter bidding the following month outside of the Grand Parkway packages and projects already moving through their respective procurement processes.

As these projects progress from plans to pavement, My Neighborhood News will continue following Fort Bend County Precinct 1 mobility projects and the transportation changes affecting Fulshear.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.