FM 518 Expansion West Of Highway 288

[Timnwendy]

It looks like the expansion of 518 west of Kirby Dr is making slow but steady progress.

I am not sure, but it seems like this might be done in stages. For example, the current activity seems to be going on between Kirby and Half Moon Bay/Southern Trails Drive. Not much west of that yet. What I'm seeing is the big drain pipes are laid and buried, and a line of new power poles now stand about 30-40 feet behind the existing ones. Maybe when they hook those up and take down the old poles, we can expect to see the actual widening begin.

The widening can't start too soon, in my opinion. I've only been driving west on 518 steadily for a couple of weeks now, and I'm already weary of the Speed Racer mentality, as folks race and jockey to see who can be first to the narrow part of the road.

[noodlemonger]

Tim,

Thanks for the update. I've been down to Southern Trails a few times in the past few weeks, but I didn't notice the poles and the pipes. It's going to be so much better when the road is finally widened.

Also it seems that the Pearland Town Center is coming along nicely. Who knows if it really will open July.

Have you moved into your place yet? How do you like it?

(We may close on a house there within a months).

[Timnwendy]

I have my doubts it will open on time. Maybe some parts of it will open in July, but no way will it all be done.

We closed last Wednesday and have been living there ever since. So far, we love it.

Good luck on your closing.

[Chamo]

...and a line of new power poles now stand about 30-40 feet behind the existing ones. ...

The new poles are now pretty close to the front lakes. Do you know if they will be taking any of the space at the front of the neighborhood? Seems like it could affect the entrance (Not that I am a big fan of those bricks that rumble my car everytime I go visit).

[njvisitor]

Councilman Kevin Cole explained it like this:

We've got six lanes of Broadway that's been constructed all the way from 288 to Kirby to help with the traffic volume. It's brand-new.

The rest of the roadway will be under construction shortly - four lanes divided all the way to FM 521 heading west.

- From the Chron's Inside Pearland blog.

Also, they've strung wires onto the poles and have moved Southern Trail's flagpoles back a few feet.

[Timnwendy]

- From the Chron's Inside Pearland blog.

Also, they've strung wires onto the poles and have moved Southern Trail's flagpoles back a few feet.

I hadn't noticed the flagpoles had been moved. I'm also not a big fan of the cobblestone bridge at the entrance, but I suspect this road-widening won't affect it very much.

It will be great when 518 connects all the way to 521!

Edited May 1, 2008 by Timnwendy

[CoolBuddy06]

- From the Chron's Inside Pearland blog.

Also, they've strung wires onto the poles and have moved Southern Trail's flagpoles back a few feet.

Call me a pessimist if you like. I don't think four lanes will suffice with time. When the town center opens and all of Teal Run and Fresno come to shop, plus when the rest of Shadow Creek opens, 518 west of 288 will just be like 518 east of 288. And I think this will happen in less than 2 years. Looks like Shadow Creek Ranch will be boxed north, south, east with retail, apartments, retail, retail etc.

[neonurse97]

Call me a pessimist if you like. I don't think four lanes will suffice with time. When the town center opens and all of Teal Run and Fresno come to shop, plus when the rest of Shadow Creek opens, 518 west of 288 will just be like 518 east of 288. And I think this will happen in less than 2 years. Looks like Shadow Creek Ranch will be boxed north, south, east with retail, apartments, retail, retail etc.

ITA. It will be a mess.

[Timnwendy]

Call me a pessimist if you like. I don't think four lanes will suffice with time. When the town center opens and all of Teal Run and Fresno come to shop, plus when the rest of Shadow Creek opens, 518 west of 288 will just be like 518 east of 288. And I think this will happen in less than 2 years. Looks like Shadow Creek Ranch will be boxed north, south, east with retail, apartments, retail, retail etc.

Yikes, you may be right. I hadn't thought about that. I guess alot depends on the success of all the new retail in west Pearland. It seems possible alot of the Fresno and Teal Run folks will continue to shop at all the retail along Hwy 6 (more going in there all the time). Taking that 6-lane highway might be preferable to driving the FMs over to west Pearland.

[Timnwendy]

This road-widening project has taken off in a big way this week. The entire stretch of 518 between Kirby and Kingsley is now a work zone with a 35mph speed limit (posted).

I just drove through there and saw one of Pearland's Finest sitting along the road with his radar gun, so everybody be careful and slow down!

[Timnwendy]

There is a computerized roadsign along the stretch of 518 between Kirby and Kingsley that says "road closed, Sept 8 thru Oct 8". I am not sure which part this refers to, but they might be closing this whole stretch of road. I presume the crossing at Southern Trails drive to Half Moon Bay will still be open. Well, we'll know on Monday...

[Chamo]

There is a computerized roadsign along the stretch of 518 between Kirby and Kingsley that says "road closed, Sept 8 thru Oct 8". I am not sure which part this refers to, but they might be closing this whole stretch of road. I presume the crossing at Southern Trails drive to Half Moon Bay will still be open. Well, we'll know on Monday...

I understand that it will be closed between Half Moon Bay/ST Drive to Kingsley, so that they can work on the portion that crosses CR48.

The tricky part is that the detour will affect both SCR & ST. If you need south Kingsley you will have to go through ST all the way to CR48 and if you are going to north Kingsley, you have to enter SCR to the Clear Lake Loop and then connect to Kingsley.

[Timnwendy]

I understand that it will be closed between Half Moon Bay/ST Drive to Kingsley, so that they can work on the portion that crosses CR48.

The tricky part is that the detour will affect both SCR & ST. If you need south Kingsley you will have to go through ST all the way to CR48 and if you are going to north Kingsley, you have to enter SCR to the Clear Lake Loop and then connect to Kingsley.

Thanks for the update. And you are right about the detour, they will channel traffic through Southern Trails Drive. My house borders that street and I can look out my window and see the big temporary detour signs they have erected along it, just north of the rec center.

Edited September 7, 2008 by Timnwendy

[Timnwendy]

I understand that it will be closed between Half Moon Bay/ST Drive to Kingsley, so that they can work on the portion that crosses CR48.

Chamo was exactly right on this, 518 now ends at Half Moon Bay/ST Drive.

[Chamo]

Chamo was exactly right on this, 518 now ends at Half Moon Bay/ST Drive.

From the city of Pearland:

"Please be advised of the following road closure information. We apologize in advance

for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you.

INTERSECTION CLOSURE / DETOUR INFORMATION:

The intersection of Broadway at Kingsley will be closed from September 8 to October

1 for pavement reconstruction and utility installation. This closure will require

traffic to be detoured by way of Southern Trails Drive from the South and Trinity

Bay Drive to S. Clear Lake Loop then to Half Moon Bay from the North. This is a

closure to through traffic. Local traffic will be allowed.

Please be advised to expect delays. Please continue to watch speed and exercise

caution along detour routes, as construction continues."

[SkyEye]

I hadn't noticed the flagpoles had been moved. I'm also not a big fan of the cobblestone bridge at the entrance, but I suspect this road-widening won't affect it very much.

It will be great when 518 connects all the way to 521!

Yep, the garbage trucks and hazmat haulers can't wait.

[Timnwendy]

Yesterday was the first day since Ike hit that I saw normal construction recommence on this road work project. Hallelujah!

[Timnwendy]

The old stretch of 518 between Half Moon Bay/ST Drive and Kirby has been closed. Traffic is now diverted to use the brand new stretch of 518 that was laid between those intersections.

The new stretch of road seems nice, although I'm not sure of it's drainage. I didn't see a reassuring number of storm drains...

[BWSchultz]

The old stretch of 518 between Half Moon Bay/ST Drive and Kirby has been closed. Traffic is now diverted to use the brand new stretch of 518 that was laid between those intersections.

The new stretch of road seems nice, although I'm not sure of it's drainage. I didn't see a reassuring number of storm drains...

I think I drove past in the afternoon after Ike and water was not on the new road, only in the dirt area to the south of 518, east of southern trails. It was pooling back there but the road itself was ok.

[Timnwendy]

I think I drove past in the afternoon after Ike and water was not on the new road, only in the dirt area to the south of 518, east of southern trails. It was pooling back there but the road itself was ok.

Good to know. I do see the storm drains along the stretch of new road, and I can detect the slopes built into it to channel the water to them, I'm just worried there aren't enough of them. Hopefully, the rains of Ike were a good test.

[Timnwendy]

Many of you know that the current construction on west 518 has placed stop signs at the intersection of 518/Half Moon Bay/Southern Trails Drive. It occurred to me that stopping there is probably good practice for us, since eventually a stop light will go up at that intersection. (At least, that is what Ashton Woods told us at our HOA meeting last month.)

[BWSchultz]

Many of you know that the current construction on west 518 has placed stop signs at the intersection of 518/Half Moon Bay/Southern Trails Drive. It occurred to me that stopping there is probably good practice for us, since eventually a stop light will go up at that intersection. (At least, that is what Ashton Woods told us at our HOA meeting last month.)

I would guess that stoplights at 518/southern trails drive and at 518/kingsley will be part of the construction effort. At least, I would hope it is. I doubt they lost too much time due to Ike so they should still be on track to finish before Christmas. I haven't taken a bike ride recently to see how the progress is doing on the new stretch of 518 west of Kingsley, however. Last I saw, they were working hard near the new intersection of Windward Bay (SCR side) with 518.

[Timnwendy]

however. Last I saw, they were working hard near the new intersection of Windward Bay (SCR side) with 518.

That's good to know, since that intersection will also connect into Southern Trails, over on the Enclave side.

[Timnwendy]

I was talking to a Pearland Police officer last night (he attended the NNO event on my street), and he said he thought the current detour on 518 between Kingsley and Southern Trails Drive would remain in effect for at least another week. So if he's right, it will be more like Oct. 15th that the detour ends and 518 is opened up again all the way to Kingsley. If he's wrong, we should see it open tomorrow (Oct. 8th).

Edited October 8, 2008 by Timnwendy

[Chamo]

I was talking to a Pearland Police officer last night (he attended the NNO event on my street), and he said he thought the current detour on 518 between Kingsley and Southern Trails Drive would remain in effect for at least another week. So if he's right, it will be more like Oct. 15th that the detour ends and 518 is opened up again all the way to Kingsley. If he's wrong, we should see it open tomorrow (Oct. 8th).

I think they changed the digital sign from Sept 8 - Oct 8 to Sept - 8 - Oct 13. Ike had to delay their plans at least a week as you say.

Edited October 9, 2008 by Chamo

[Timnwendy]

Today they stopped the detour and opened 518 all the way to Kingsley.

[Chamo]

Today they stopped the detour and opened 518 all the way to Kingsley.

Looking good..... I saw that they are clearing half the corner lot at 518 @ Half Moon Bay. They always showed as a future school, but maybe they are dividing the lot for some reason; time will tell.

[Timnwendy]

Looking good..... I saw that they are clearing half the corner lot at 518 @ Half Moon Bay. They always showed as a future school, but maybe they are dividing the lot for some reason; time will tell.

I guess that has to be the northwest corner you are referring to, right?

[rajuncajun]

Looking good..... I saw that they are clearing half the corner lot at 518 @ Half Moon Bay. They always showed as a future school, but maybe they are dividing the lot for some reason; time will tell.

FYI, the whole lot is cleared. Not just the southern half.

[Chamo]

I guess that has to be the northwest corner you are referring to, right?

Correct; and as Rajuncajun confirmed, they finished clearing it today.

[Timnwendy]

A pile of metal poles has been delivered to the intersection of Half Moon Bay/Southern Trails Drive and 518. This looks suspiciously like the materials for the stop light we were told would be put in at that intersection.

I hope this is what it is, because those stop signs are dangerous.

Edited October 23, 2008 by Timnwendy

[noodlemonger]

Yes, I hope you're right about those poles.

My question is whether or not we'll have to wait for the whole north side of the road to be completed before any section is opened for traffic.

A pile of metal poles has been delivered to the intersection of Half Moon Bay/Southern Trails Drive and 518. This looks suspiciously like the materials for the stop light we were told would be put in at that intersection.

I hope this is what it is, because those stop signs are dangerous.

[Timnwendy]

Dunno, noodlemonger.

One of our neighbors just emailed to say a similar pile of poles is sitting further west, near the newly-rebuilt intersection of Kingsley Drive/Co. Rd. 48 and 518. It looks like they may erect that stoplight sometime soon too.

[Timnwendy]

Have y'all noticed how wide those medians are going to be between the lanes on the new stretches of 518? Why didn't they just make the road 3 lanes both ways? They still could have had a small landscaped median in the middle.

I guess they didn't have the extra funds to do this. Oh well, maybe a few years down the road this can be done (like they did for the east part of Bay Area Blvd in Clear Lake). At least they were smart enough to make this section of 518 wide enough to accommodate future widening from the middle, unlike the stretches of 518 east of 288.

Edited December 4, 2008 by Timnwendy

[plee]

Have y'all noticed how wide those medians are going to be between the lanes on the new stretches of 518? Why didn't they just make the road 3 lanes both ways? They still could have had a small landscaped median in the middle.

I guess they didn't have the extra funds to do this. Oh well, maybe a few years down the road this can be done (like they did for the east part of Bay Area Blvd in Clear Lake). At least they were smart enough to make this section of 518 wide enough to accommodate future widening from the middle, unlike the stretches of 518 east of 288.

I pretty sure it was all about cost, wonder if there will be street lights on the otherside? The east bound exit to 518 from the Kids R Kids will be interesting, I'm assuming there will be a light at the entrance to Southern Trails so the stopped traffic will have to make sure they leave room from the cars trying to cross...

[Timnwendy]

I pretty sure it was all about cost, wonder if there will be street lights on the otherside? The east bound exit to 518 from the Kids R Kids will be interesting, I'm assuming there will be a light at the entrance to Southern Trails so the stopped traffic will have to make sure they leave room from the cars trying to cross...

Yes, there will be a light at the intersection of 518 and Southern Trails Drive/Half Moon Bay. You can see the pile of shiny steel frame laying in the grass right now; this is for the traffic light. There is a similar pile at Kingsley Dr. and 518, further west, where another traffic light will be.

Not sure what you meant by "street light", but I am fairly sure they will be spaced out all along this stretch of 518, since it is slated to have commerical development along it too.

[plee]

Yes, there will be a light at the intersection of 518 and Southern Trails Drive/Half Moon Bay. You can see the pile of shiny steel frame laying in the grass right now; this is for the traffic light. There is a similar pile at Kingsley Dr. and 518, further west, where another traffic light will be.

Not sure what you meant by "street light", but I am fairly sure they will be spaced out all along this stretch of 518, since it is slated to have commerical development along it too.

Currently, there are only street lights on the east bound side of 518 so just wondering if there will be on the west bound side (so far no poles that I've seen).

[Timnwendy]

Today workmen are erecting the traffic light poles at the intersection of 518 and Half Moon Bay/Southern Trails Drive. The plan might be to turn on the traffic lights there at the same time they open up both the eastbound and westbound lanes of 518 along this new stretch.

[Chamo]

Today workmen are erecting the traffic light poles at the intersection of 518 and Half Moon Bay/Southern Trails Drive. The plan might be to turn on the traffic lights there at the same time they open up both the eastbound and westbound lanes of 518 along this new stretch.

I saw this morning the poles up. They look huge for that intersection. I also saw a new house being built on the ST Enclave section just west of Kingsley.... Those will be very close to 518 once is finished!

Please also take note regarding the 288 feeders construction..... Hughes Ranch - 288 Closure Notice

[hbcu]

how long before it connects with 521?

[Timnwendy]

how long before it connects with 521?

Unknown....but my guess is sometime in 2009. You can see they are already working on the section between Kingsley (Co. Rd 48) and 521.

[CoolBuddy06]

how long before it connects with 521?

At the going rate I'll guess April 30 2009.

[Timnwendy]

I drove by the intersection of Kingsley and 518 yesterday. The metal poles there for the traffic lights have not been erected, so it looks like the lights there will not be turned on at the same time as the ones at 518 and Southern Trails Drive.

On a brighter note, I saw that they have started laying concrete in the lanes between Kingsley and 521, so I think it's looking good that section will also open sometime in 2009.

[plee]

I drove by the intersection of Kingsley and 518 yesterday. The metal poles there for the traffic lights have not been erected, so it looks like the lights there will not be turned on at the same time as the ones at 518 and Southern Trails Drive.

On a brighter note, I saw that they have started laying concrete in the lanes between Kingsley and 521, so I think it's looking good that section will also open sometime in 2009.

My guess is they probably will wait to get the traffic lights working before opening the other lanes.

Also, they built a new sidewalk on the east bound side but of course there are no street lights on that side right now... Wonder if they will build one for the other side also?

[Timnwendy]

I took a driving tour through the new development going on in The Enclave section of Southern Trails. My interest was peaked when I got to Windward Bay Drive. They have made alot of progress there. It's going to be another nicely landscaped entrance into the Enclave, complete with extra-wide streets and cobblestone (like the other main entrance into ST at Half-Moon Bay. Should look really nice when completed, and that section of 518 opens.

[Timnwendy]

The two new westbound lanes of 518 were opened to traffic yesterday. The traffic lights are not hooked up yet, but at least this is an improvement in the traffic flow.

[plee]

The two new westbound lanes of 518 were opened to traffic yesterday. The traffic lights are not hooked up yet, but at least this is an improvement in the traffic flow.

They also put in sidewalks on the south side of 518 (east bound).

Though I still wonder if they will put up street lights on the north side of 518 (west bound)...

Edited March 3, 2009 by plee

[plee]

The two new westbound lanes of 518 were opened to traffic yesterday. The traffic lights are not hooked up yet, but at least this is an improvement in the traffic flow.

I hope they redo the lanes just after Kirby, right now the middle lane ends up as the left lane (two lane road) after Kirby and left lane still needs to merge as it ends?!? The middle lane should be the right lane and left lane but the left lane on the 2 lane stretch (right lane is right turn only before Kirby)

[Timnwendy]

Has anybody else noticed how the 35 mph speed limit on this new stretch is routinely ignored?

Considering the area is still a construction zone, with traffic fines doubled, you'd think people would slow down from the 50 mph+ speeds I am seeing all the time. I'm sure the Pearland PD will soon find this stretch of road a favorite place to rack up the revenue.

[CoolBuddy06]

I hope they redo the lanes just after Kirby, right now the middle lane ends up as the left lane (two lane road) after Kirby and left lane still needs to merge as it ends?!? The middle lane should be the right lane and left lane but the left lane on the 2 lane stretch (right lane is right turn only before Kirby)

Thanks for pointing that out. It nearly got me into a fender-bender last Sunday. Worse my wife was in the car.

Has anybody else noticed how the 35 mph speed limit on this new stretch is routinely ignored?

Considering the area is still a construction zone, with traffic fines doubled, you'd think people would slow down from the 50 mph+ speeds I am seeing all the time. I'm sure the Pearland PD will soon find this stretch of road a favorite place to rack up the revenue.

I'd done 50 mph a couple times already, before realising it and slowing down. Perhaps I'm one of those you saw.