FRIENDSWOOD, Texas (KTRK) — The major corridors of Galveston County, such as I-45 and FM 518, are packed with an ever-increasing population and a constant flow of traffic from east to west between Galveston and Brazoria Counties, especially in Friendswood.<\/p>\n
It’s no surprise to longtime residents like Kim Hartman.<\/p>\n
“They’re building more and more and more back in this area over here,” Hartman told ABC13. “So yes, it’s grown. Friendswood has grown. I’ve noticed that in the 10 years that I’ve been here.”<\/p>\n
To help with that congestion, the Houston-Galveston Area Council, or H-GAC, launched a study in 2024 into the possibility of extending Friendswood Parkway.<\/p>\n
Right now, the road comes to a dead end at FM 528, across from Castle Biosciences.<\/p>\n
The study cites the need for alternative routes for everyday traffic and hurricane evacuation.<\/p>\n
A proposed Friendswood Parkway extension would stretch from FM 528 to Wilderness Trails and continue to FM 2351 toward Brazoria County.<\/p>\n
On Aug. 3, the Friendswood City Council voted to adopt the plan to build the extension after seeing a presentation of the study. The study recommends a four-lane divided parkway with a landscaped median and multi-use path.<\/p>\n
The City says the segment between FM 528 and Wilderness Trails should be constructed within the next 24 months. The City says the remaining section between Wilderness Trails and FM 2351 is in the early stages of development; it is coordinating with TxDOT on the agreement needed to begin the preliminary engineering and environmental study.<\/p>\n
ABC13 spoke with neighbors who are hoping any extension of Friendswood Parkway comes with law enforcement support to keep speeds appropriate through residential areas.<\/p>\n
Resident Tyler Autry does see an upside for local businesses.<\/p>\n
“Business is very, in its own circle, so it just brings people, that clientele that they need to make more money and stuff,” Autry said. “So I think it’d be good for the city.”<\/p>\n
The proposed Friendswood Parkway extension connects to a proposed extension of Pearland Parkway in Brazoria County. The county told ABC13 that the extension between Dixie Farm and FM 2351 is in the early stages and could see construction by 2035.<\/p>\n
It would complete the east-west corridor and connection between the counties as an alternate to FM 518.
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