TxDOT proposes 8 alternatives for southern portion of Hwy. 36A
Texas Department of Transportation officials are seeking public input on eight proposed routes for the southern portion of the Hwy. 36A project.
The proposed route aims to provide congestion relief and an alternative route for large trucks to travel from Port Freeport to reach major highways and distribute freight in North Texas, Fort Bend County Commissioner Andy Meyers previously said.
Breaking it down: The southern portion of the project is expected to run from FM 1994 south of Needville to I-10 West in Katy, an approximately 35-mile study area, per project documents.
The proposed $2.5 billion project—with a funding source to be determined—includes a new highway with four lanes, with two lanes going in each direction separated by a grassy median, documents show. Additionally, a 10-foot-wide shared-use path is proposed for pedestrians and cyclists.
Get involved: The public is invited to submit comments through Sept. 12 with several submission opportunities.
Going forward: A final route for the south portion is expected by summer 2028, followed by the north section in late 2029.
H-GAC holds meeting to receive Fort Bend County feedback on climate pollution
The Houston-Galveston Area Council held its first of eight public meetings Aug. 28 to receive community feedback on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant initiative, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Zooming in: Established through the Inflation Reduction Act, the CPRG aims to reduce climate pollution, create jobs, improve air quality and lower energy costs, H-GAC Air Quality Program Manager Andrew DeCandis said.
The program submitted a priority climate action plan last March, with the goals of cutting emissions, improving health and collaborating across the region.
By the numbers: In 2021, the 13 counties making up the Greater Houston area combined for 230.56 million metric tons of net carbon emissions, said Deborah Nabaloga, senior research assistant for clean energy policy at the Houston Advanced Research Center.
Going forward: Residents have the chance to participate in eight public meetings to share their feedback on key sectors, including industry, agriculture, transportation, waste and energy. A comprehensive climate action plan is due by the end of 2025, with a status report due in 2027.
Missouri City to upgrade traffic communications network
Missouri City is set to upgrade to fiber optic equipment next year with the goal of enhancing the city’s communication network.
At an Aug. 18 meeting, Missouri City City Council approved a $1.1 million agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to install the city’s new Intelligent Transportation System, or ITS network. The new underground fiber optic system aims to serve as a backup to the city’s current “radio frequency.”
The details: The system aims to help improve traffic flow management, remote monitoring and enhance resiliency of the traffic communications network, especially during extreme weather conditions, Assistant City Manager Shashi Kumar said in an email.
The new network will extend along the city’s major traveled corridors, including:
Texas Parkway
Cartwright Road
Hwy. 6
Going forward: Construction is set to begin in the second quarter of 2026, Kumar said.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.
According to an Aug. 21 release, Local Public Eatery opened a new location at Market Street in The Woodlands, marking the concept’s first Houston location and second Texas location. The 5,140-square-foot space features curated artwork, vintage lighting and cozy area rugs, according to the release. The space also offers a screen at the bar for sports and a wrap-around patio with a retractable roof, intimate dining spaces and a central deck bar.
At the bar, customers can find a large selection of beer, wine and hand-crafted cocktails like the Spicy Guava Margarita. Local Public Eatery offers comfort food classics including fried chicken ramen, loaded potatoes and barbecue rice bowls.
🧇 The Waffle Bus now serving waffle sandwiches in Bridgeland (Read more)
😋 2 new restaurants coming to The Woodlands from chefs Austin Simmons and Aaron Bludorn (Read more)
🍖 Fire Craft BBQ brings Texas-style eats to Kingwood (Read more)
🆕 Amanecer Mexican Cafe to add authentic comfort meals to Heights palate (Read more)
The coastal eatery has two locations in Memorial City and River Oaks, with plans for a third restaurant to open in Rice Village this fall. Known for its raw bar selection and seafood, Liberty Kitchen recently announced the opening of its third location off Morningside Drive in an Aug. 6 social media post. A few customer favorites on the menu include the Chesapeake crab balls, buttermilk lobster bites and char-grilled Gulf oysters. The restaurant also offers sushi and sashimi cuts such as tuna poke, citrus chili salmon Scottish sashimi and black truffle hamachi.
