The TxDOT Houston District is the lead agency proposing to widen SH 146 from existing two-lane to four lanes to relieve a bottleneck and replace the SH 146 railroad bridge over the Texas City Terminal (TCT) and Union Pacific Railroads (UPRR) with a four-lane bridge. The project also proposes to reconfigure the existing intersection; SH 146 and SH 3 would intersect at an above-grade, signalized T-intersection, removing the SH 3 at-grade crossing of the railroad. An at-grade U-turn access road to SH 3 would be constructed to provide access to adjacent properties. This study is being undertaken by the Texas Department of Transportation with input from local governments.
The purpose of the project is to improve mobility during hurricane and other evacuation events and replace the bridge to meet current design standards, improve intersection configuration for large trucks and upgrade the aging bridge structure.
Current Conditions
The existing SH 146 facility consists of a two-lane, undivided roadway from FM 519 to Loop 197. The existing railroad crossing consists of a narrow two-lane bridge with no shoulders. SH 146 crosses the railroad above-grade, while SH 3 crosses at-grade.
Proposed Improvements
The proposed improvements include the following:
- Add one lane in each direction on SH 146 from FM 519 to Loop 197, to match the existing SH 146 facility north of FM 519
- Reconstruct and widen the SH 146 bridge over the railroad to accommodate four lanes on SH 146 and relieve the bottleneck
- Reconfigure the SH 146/SH 3 intersection to an elevated and signalized T-intersection to remove the SH 3 at-grade crossing of the railroad
- Construct an at-grade U-turn on SH 3 to provide access to adjacent properties
This project would require the acquisition of additional right of way (ROW). The acquisition may result in the displacement of residences and businesses directly adjacent to the project area.
Texas has been aggressively acquiring private land through condemnation for transportation projects across the state to accommodate the needs of a growing population. If you have been contacted by TxDOT or any of their representatives, please contact us immediately. The important thing to remember is that even if you’ve received a letter in the mail from a condemnation entity informing you of their intentions, this does not mean that it’s a done deal. There are many ways to influence the condemnation process to ensure that your wants and needs are met, but it’s important that you involve knowledgeable professionals that can help guide you through the process.