TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Software aims to improve tra c ow across League City
COMPILED BY JAKE MAGEE
UPCOMING PROJECTS
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Within a couple years, several busy League City roads will feature technology that will improve the ow of tra c, especially in the event of a crash, inclement weather or other tra c disruptions. In 2022, crews activated specialized adaptive software at 16 intersections along FM 518 and have begun install- ing the same software at 20 intersec- tions along east FM 518 and Marina Bay Drive. Installation of the software along Hwy. 96 will begin in 2024, and FM 646 and FM 517 tra c signals will receive the software in 2025, Public Works Manager David Tickell said. The software uses cameras that monitor tra c to communicate with each other and adjust tra c signal timings to improve tra c ow, he said. Tra c signals typically have basic timings, which are preprogrammed and do not take into account real-time tra c, and coordination timings, which work together to get vehicles through multiple intersections. This new technology acts as a third layer by watching the coordinated signal timings and making improvements in real time, Tickell said. “It’s getting feedback every minute and seeing what’s going on and makes adjustments,” he said. Tickell said he has already seen a di erence in tra c ows where the technology has been installed along FM 518. The I-45 construction has limited the improvements, however, he said. “I’ve seen minor improvements, but there will be further improvements when construction’s done and I can do a study,” Tickell said. The software can automatically do tra c studies to determine how often
Over the next few years, League City will install tra c-monitoring technology at several intersections along major corridors.
TRAFFIC TECH TIMELINE
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Corridor 1 Completed: 2022 Cost: $455,000 Corridor 2 Begins: summer Cost: $572,000 Corridor 3 Begins: 2024 Cost: $600,000 Corridor 4 Begins: 2025 Cost: $372,000
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League City Parkway and Walker Street intersection improvements This project will redesign the inter- section of League City Parkway and Walker Street to include an additional through lane on Walker Street in each direction, a dedicated right- turn lane for north- and southbound Walker Street tra c, an eastbound to southbound right-turn lane along League City Parkway, and a 250-foot extension of the left-turn lanes along League City Parkway. Timeline: early summer-late 2023 Cost: $1.25 million Funding source: Galveston County
GALVESTON BAY
MARINA BAY DR.
518
S. EGRET BAY BLVD.
146
646
45
96
3
517
CALDER RD.
SOURCE: CITY OF LEAGUE CITY COMMUNITY IMPACT
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517
vehicles go through an intersection at various times and days. This saves the city money from having people manually do tra c studies every three to four years, Tickell said. With these automatic studies acting as a baseline, the software will become more e cient at adjusting signal lengths to move vehicles through, Tickell said. The software, which is used by other agencies, including the Texas Department of Transportation, is being installed to prepare for League City’s growth. O cials expect the city’s population to nearly double over the next few decades. “We just want to be ready for it,”
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ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF MARCH 3. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT BAYNEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. This project will widen Calder Road’s east side 8 feet about 300 feet north of its intersection with FM 517. This will provide two southbound lanes along Calder Road on approach to the intersection. Timeline: April-May Cost: $198,965 Funding source: city of League City Right-turn lane at Calder Road and FM 517
Over 20 years of Dedication. Integrity. Passion. Service. Consistency. Whether you are buying or selling, we look forward to assisting you with every step of the process. Tickell said. “The west side’s growing really fast.” Tickell, who has been working with tra c for nearly 30 years, said he has tried other tra c-improving software in the past, but it has never been up to snu . Now it nally is, he said. “It’s neat to see the evolution of it all,” he said. Crews have already installed software at several intersections along FM 518. COURTESY CITY OF LEAGUE CITY
Kimberly Harding, Broker/Owner 281-554-7653 Kimberly@KimberlyHarding.com
2490 Calder Dr, League City, TX 77573 | www.TheKimberlyHardingGroup.com
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BAY AREA EDITION • MARCH 2023
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