Exciting Transportation Changes on the Horizon for Brazos County
In Brazos County, Texas, an exciting future for transportation is starting to take shape as the Bryan-College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization (BCS MPO) gears up to tackle a series of important projects. During their regular meeting on a Wednesday, the MPO set their sights on improvements that will positively impact commuters and freight movement in the area with their ambitious plan titled Mobility 2050: The Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
A Vision for Smooth Travels
So, what’s the goal of this massive plan? According to Daniel Rudge, the executive director of BCS MPO, it’s all about figuring out the best ways to move both people and goods around Brazos County. They’re taking a holistic approach to the transportation process—no piece of the puzzle is left out! Rudge shared, “We try to figure out how we’re going to move freight through the county, we try to figure out how we’re going to move people and goods through the county.”
Funding Challenges
One of the biggest hurdles the organization faces is funding these crucial projects. With costs soaring, Rudge highlighted that their flagship endeavor, the SH 6 Central BCS project, carries a hefty price tag of $595 million—and inflation isn’t helping matters at all! Thankfully, Rudge noted some positive developments: “We were lucky this year in that the Texas Transportation Commission stepped forward with about $470 million to help us complete the State Highway 6 project, which will go to bid in February of next year.”
Upcoming Projects
Next year is shaping up to be a busy one for the BCS MPO as they plan to kick off a total of 18 projects! All these projects have been carefully curated to fit within their budget, and good news—there’s even some extra funding set aside for unexpected hiccups along the way. Rudge elaborated on their selection process, explaining, “We had 180 projects submitted; we scored them using a data-driven scoring process. Those that received the highest priority we tried to fund first but if they were too expensive, they bubbled off the list.”
What to Expect
So, what are some of the upcoming projects that residents can look forward to? Work is set to commence on key projects including improvements to Old Hearne Road to FM 60, which will include upgraded signals, landscaping, and shared-use paths. They will also be widening a portion of SH 40 to Greens Prairie Rd from a two-lane to a four-lane setup, complete with raised medians.
Another exciting venture is the addition of a median with a multi-use path along FM 60 to Sulphur Springs Rd. To tackle the ever-present issues of congestion, the MPO is employing a strategy called the Congestion Management Process. This involves exploring simple, cost-effective fixes, such as adding or extending left and right turn lanes and synchronizing traffic signals. Imagine this: you leave College Station City Hall and cruise straight to Downtown Bryan without hitting any red lights—it’s the stuff dreams are made of!
Planning for the Future
As the MPO looks forward to fulfilling their transportation goals, Rudge mentioned they will continue studying specific corridors in Brazos County, particularly around highways 1179 and Texas Avenue. They may also be developing a complete streets handbook to ensure that all users, including cars, bicyclists, pedestrians, and those with disabilities, are accommodated on the roadways.
What This Means for Residents
For the residents of Brazos County, these changes promise to make their daily commutes more manageable and efficient. As projects roll out over the coming years, the community can expect a more interconnected and user-friendly transportation system that keeps up with the region’s growth. The future looks bright, and it’s safe to say that the folks at BCS MPO are committed to making it as smooth as possible!
