Industrial Drive in Pearland will soon undergo improvements as part of the broader SH 35 redevelopment plan.

The details: As part of the improvements, Industrial Drive will be rebuilt with reinforced concrete pavement, sidewalks, upgraded storm sewers, a new waterline, improved street lighting and expanded drainage capacity, according to a Pearland Economic Development Corporation newsletter.

In partnership with the PEDC, the city is pursuing the improvements, in part, to support the 18 businesses that currently operate along the corridor as well as to reduce drainage problems, according to the newsletter.

The cost: The project is estimated to cost $6.8 million and will be financed by the PEDC, which collects sales tax revenue, according to the newsletter.

The timeline: Construction on Industrial Drive began in November, Communications Director Josh Lee said. It is expected to wrap up in August, according to city documents.

In an interview with Community Impact, Robbie Murray, San Jacinto College’s director of mental health services, discussed the current state of mental health needs among college students.

What you need to know: San Jacinto College deployed new measures to assist students in 2022, and there was a 60% increase in students receiving services between academic years, Murray said.

Why it matters: Mental health counselors have a caseload of 50 students at San Jacinto College, Murray said.

Here are five of the most-read CI Texas stories from this year and the latest updates on these trending topics.

1. Texas Senate passes bill that would nearly double property tax exemption for seniors, people with disabilities: Elderly and disabled homeowners were set to receive a $200,000 property tax exemption this year.

2. Texas House bill would make it easier to remove students from the classroom: The law gives teachers more discretion to remove students from the classroom if they are repeatedly disruptive or threaten the safety of others.

3. What to know about the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot: Nearly 3 million Texans voted in the November election, approving all 17 constitutional amendments.

4. Texas House bill would prohibit cellphone use in K-12 schools: Under House Bill 1481, cellphones and other personal communication devices are prohibited bell-to-bell in Texas public schools.

5. Texas families can now access 2022-23 A-F school accountability ratings after multiyear legal battle: The state later released ratings for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years in August.

The final steel beam has been put into place on a $470 million expansion project at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport, according to a Dec. 12 news release from the Houston Airport System.

What's happening: As previously reported by Community Impact, the expansion is set to bring seven new gates to the airport, more than doubling the number of existing gates. Other improvements include:

• An updated baggage claim system
• Additional baggage claim carousels
• Expanded dining and retail options
• Weather-protected canopies at departures