SH 146 Expansion – Lane and Channel Closures

April 10th, 2019

LANE CLOSURES

Motorists can expect the following lane closures over the next several weeks. Uniformed police officers may be onsite to assist with the closures if needed.

SH 146 southbound outside lane at the NASA Parkway intersection will be closed April 10 through April 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. This closure is to create a work zone for demolition activities.

SH 146 southbound outside lane on the Clear Creek Channel Bridge (Seabrook/Kemah Bridge) will be closed every Sunday through Thursday night from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. each night beginning on April 14 and continuing for approximately four weeks (weather permitting).

CHANNEL CLOSURE

Please take note of upcoming impacts to the Clear Creek Channel navigable waterway under the (Seabrook/Kemah Bridge). The closures listed below have been approved by TxDOT and the U.S. Coast Guard and are necessary for the construction of the SH146 expansion project.

The north (inbound) channel, directly under the Clear Creek Channel Bridge (Seabrook/Kemah Bridge), will be completely closed beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 15, 2019.  This closure will be in place continuously for approximately one month.

  • This closure will allow the contractor to remove the existing fender system so they can begin constructing new bridge foundations. The south (outbound channel) will not be obstructed by other work on the SH146 project while this closure is in place.
  • Please be advised that the south (outbound) channel will have two-way traffic during this time.
  • Message boards have been placed on both approaches to the channel to assist with notifying approaching vessels.
  • The closure will consist of two barges side-by-side within the channel

The south (outbound) channel, directly under the Clear Creek Channel Bridge (Seabrook/Kemah Bridge), will be completely closed beginning immediately after the previous north (inbound) channel closure is removed.  This closure will be in place continuously for approximately one and a half months.

  • This closure will allow the contractor to remove the existing fender system and begin driving concrete piles for new bridge foundations.
  • Additional notifications will be posted and sent once the specific start date for this closure is known.

Additional closures, including short-term (12 hours to 48 hours depending on approval) full closures will continue to take place throughout the SH146 project as both sides of the existing bridge are widened and a new express bridge is constructed. Notifications will be sent prior to future closures.

 

This SH 146 Update was provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Information about the SH 146 Expansion can be found at www.sh146.com.

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Highway 146 construction to bring many challenges

March 4th, 2019

Clear Lake Chamber President Cindy DeWease, from right, welcomes Seabrook Mayor Thom Kolupski, City Manager Gail Cooke, and Melody Galland of TxDOT.

By Mary Alys Cherry

Many challenges are ahead for the Bay Area as the Texas Department of Transportation rebuilds and expands Highway 146 through Seabrook and Kemah, but we’ll live through it, Seabrook Mayor Thom Kolupski promised as he addressed the Clear Lake Chamber Luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club.

“There will be many disruptions, but we’ll get through it,” he said, going on to explain that the difficult part has been so many businesses having to shut down. This will result in a large loss of sales taxes, he told the crowd, but the City of Seabrook has been preparing for the loss by saving money for needed expenses for the past several years.

And, while the construction on the $200 million project will slow traffic even more than it has been in recent months, the good news is the highway will always be accessible throughout the five years it will take to complete the construction work.

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Highway 146 rebuild to start any day now

February 1st, 2019

By Mary Alys Cherry

The face of Seabrook is about to change as the Texas Department of Transportation rebuilds State Highway 146 from Red Bluff Road south past NASA Parkway and on through Kemah to Highway 518 – turning the roadway into a 6-to-12 lane freeway.

With construction of the five-year, $200 million project expected to start any day now, it’s hard to drive through Seabrook and not be consumed with sadness. In a way, this main thoroughfare through town almost looks like it might be part of the war in Syria.

Remember the Wells-Fargo Bank that started out life first as Clear Creek State Bank and then Allied Bank and has stood many years at the corner of 146 and Capri Lane? It fell to the wrecking ball and is now just a pile of dust. Ditto for the Valero service station where many a motorist bought gas. So are dozens of other businesses.

McDonald’s? Gone. Walgreen’s? CVS? Gone. Whataburger? Gone. Neptune Subs? Gone. Jiffy Lube? Gone, along with Hill’s Liquor Discount, Jiffy Lube, Benjamin’s Automotive, All American Auto Repair, Rustic Furniture, The Waffle House, Tookie’s Hamburgers, KFC/Taco Bell, Laredos, TNT Mattress Outlet, Donald’s Donuts. Angel Haircuts and dozens more.About the only places left in the Five Points area where one can eat is Mario’s Flying Pizza, Tookie’s Seafood and the Classic Cafe. Most businesses are opening up shop in other parts of town.

NEW BRIDGE

Each day another part of a building comes tumbling down as the Texas Department of Transportation demolishes one structure after another in the run-up to rebuilding the highway from the Seabrook Channel Bridge on the city’s southside, through NASA 1 to Red Bluff. A new bridge across the bay from Seabrook to Kemah also will be built and the current Seabrook-Kemah Bridge will be used as a frontage road to ease traffic.

But, while the next five years – yes, five years – will be difficult on everyone, residents and visitors alike, once RS&H Engineering and Webber Construction begins work, they hope to turn the project into a thing of beauty.

Mayor Thom Kolupski says that through a partnership between the City of Seabrook and the Seabrook Economic Development Council (SEDC), working with TxDOT, a “beautiful and only in Seabrook, highway design standard which will enhance the seaside characteristics of our community has been finalized.

SAILBOAT MOTIF

“The designs include a sailboat motif on the side walls of the overpasses, white powder-coated traffic signals and LED lighting with nautical bollards under the underpasses. Future projects in the work call for nautical gateway signage at the city entrances with possible boardwalk and LED lighting under the Seabrook Channel Bridge,” he added.

Construction will start on the southside of Seabrook, Kolupski said, at the Seabrook-Kemah Bridge and move north toward the Red Bluff overpass

“TxDOT has assured us that four lanes of traffic will remain open during construction, with additional lane closures, when necessary, limited to off peak night hours,” Kolupski pointed out. “With that said, traffic delays may still occur throughout the construction project, especially during our commuting hours.”Noting that the next few years will be demanding, the mayor asked the public to have patience and understanding. “We also would like your input when a problem or issue is noticed or perceived. Do not hesitate to bring issues or concerns to our attention.

NOT FORGOTTEN

The Seabrook mayor wants businesses to know they are not forgotten. The SEDC and the city staff have been diligently working to provide new opportunities for developers who want to expand into Seabrook.

“Ýou may have noticed construction has begun on the planned retail center on SH 146 in front of The Towers luxury apartment complex. This two-building center will be known as The Commons and will be able to accommodate a number of new retail locations…There has also been outstanding interest by many new businesses that have a desire to move to Seabrook, and we remain optimistic these businesses will make Seabrook their new home.

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