As TxDOT prepares to widen FM 518 in Pearland, some local businesses say they have to move

PEARLAND, Texas (KTRK) -- It's known as one of the busiest corridors in Pearland. FM 518 is home to big-box businesses and local shops and serves as the entrance to neighborhoods.

It's about to undergo a major overhaul, and while those changes are not coming immediately, they are on the horizon.

Widening FM 518 will be a huge change, not simply because of the construction, but because some businesses will have to move as TxDOT widens the roadway.

The endless flow of traffic on FM 518 in Pearland amounts to tens of thousands of vehicles a day. Now, those drivers are seeing signs of an upcoming TxDOT project to address that congestion - crews prepping the area for utility work ahead of widening the road.

"The city of Pearland has just grown exponentially," according to TxDOT spokesperson Danny Perez. "What we've done is look at ways to help facilitate that growth."

TxDOT's plan includes widening FM 518 from SH 288 to Halbert, just west of SH 35. It will expand from two lanes to three lanes each way, and TxDOT is also adding a continuous sidewalk.

Some businesses are too close to the future roadway.

"We understand the rights of the many outweigh the rights of the few, in this case, us," local businessman Craig Slater said. "We understand that as a result of our growth, we're going to see some changes."

He said he's been in the same building off FM 518 for 10 years and has lived in Pearland for more than 3 decades. While change is hard, he's trying to maintain a good attitude about having to find a new address.

"2414 South Park Avenue. We've got a Park Avenue address," jokes Slater.

Not all businesses will have to move. Some will simply lose parking spaces. There are about twelve businesses, including Slater's agency, that TxDOT says will have to relocate or shut down.

"We are going to be moving two and a half miles down the road, but it's been a long process going on over two years as we've negotiated with TxDOT."

What happens next? As TxDOT continues to negotiate the right of way, the agency is working on the following timeline:

The expansion is divided into two projects. The first part of the expansion from SH 288 to Cullen is scheduled to begin construction in late 2027. The second part of the expansion from Cullen to Halbert would begin near the end of 2028. TxDOT says each project will take 3 to 4 years to complete with a combined price tag of 187 million dollars.

"It's good to start planning now. While it's still a year out, it's going to come fast," Perez said. "When we start to move dirt, when we start having equipment out there, we start having barrels, it's going to be a major change."