by Nicole Bradford
The widening of FM 518 from Old Chocolate Bayou and McLean inched closer to reality this month as city leaders approved a contract to relocate utilities.
City Council on Jan. 13 approved an engineering contract with Cobb, Fendley & Associates for utility relocation, a process that typically takes about a year. The FM 518 widening is set to go out for construction bids in 2027.
“TxDOT is covering 100 percent of the road construction, and then we’re responsible for the utility relocation where we have utilities in their right of way,” City Manager Trent Epperson told council members.
The Pearland Economic Development Corp will reimburse the city’s portion of contract costs.
The project calls for widening the road from four to six lanes, with wider outside travel lanes designed to accommodate bicycle traffic, a raised median, and outside pedestrian sidewalks, according to TxDOT plans.
