Title
Consider and take action on a resolution expressing support for the widening of Farm-to-Market Road 270 (FM 270) and requesting the Houston-Galveston Area Council and Texas Department of Transportation continue advancing the project for future funding and implementation (Councilmember Tressler & Mayor Pro Tem Saunders)
Background:
FM 270 is a major north-south transportation corridor serving residents, businesses, schools, and regional traffic within the City of League City and surrounding communities.
The existing five-lane section of FM 270 currently terminates near the intersection of Abilene Street and transitions into a three-lane section extending to League City Parkway/SH 96. South of SH 96, the corridor transitions into a two-lane roadway extending to FM 646.
The section of FM 270 between Abilene Street and FM 646 generally consists of:
• Approximately 120 feet of right-of-way
• Two 12-foot travel lanes
• A 14-foot-wide center turn lane where applicable
• Open vegetated roadside ditches
• Shoulder widths generally ranging from approximately 10 feet to 14 feet
The City supports the ultimate expansion of the corridor into a five-lane urban roadway facility designed utilizing appropriate access management principles and incorporating:
• Shared-use paths on both sides of the corridor for pedestrians and bicyclists
• Conversion from open ditch drainage to curb and gutter infrastructure where appropriate
The project is currently identified within the proposed Houston-Galveston Area Council Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) as MPOID 36 with limits from FM 518 to FM 646 (~2.55 miles), proposes widening from two lanes to a four lanes divided facility with an estimated project cost of approximately $19.56 million.
Available traffic count data demonstrates the importance of the corridor to the regional transportation network. According to the 2023 Houston-Galveston Area Council traffic volumes, the existing five-lane segment of FM 270 between Main Street and Abilene Street carries approximately 18,716 vehicles per day. Additional traffic count data from the TxDOT’s Transportation Planning and Programming Division indicates:
• Approximately 18,503 vehicles per day on FM 270 south of Webster Street
• Approximately 15,439 vehicles per day on FM 270 between SH 96 and FM 646
• SH 96 near FM 270 carries approximately 33,064 vehicles per day
• FM 646 near FM 270 carries approximately 17,084 to 21,916 vehicles per day
The City continues to experience congestion and queueing concerns at the SH 96 intersection and increasing congestion near FM 646, Webster, and Austin intersections as growth continues within the area.
This resolution expresses the City Council’s strong support for the FM 270 widening project and formally requests that the Houston-Galveston Area Council and Texas Department of Transportation advance the project into the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as soon as possible and prioritize the project for future funding and implementation.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Aerial of Project Site
FUNDING
{X} NOT APPLICABLE
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{X} Addresses Strategic Planning Critical Success Factor # 1 - Develop & Maintain our Infrastructure