Freeway Intersection at the Heart of Intense Debate in Fort Bend County

The decision over where to place a new intersection has become a major debate in Fort Bend County, just west of Houston. According to an article by Dug Begley, "Where county leaders eventually decide to put that intersection will have an impact far beyond the typical road, with potential ripple effects on the cost to build the toll roads, the types of development that will replace that tranquil farmland and how much philanthropic money comes to Fort Bend County. The land closest to the intersection is expected to have a future worth of $500 million."

The crossing was originally planned for an area located on land owned by the George Foundation, but last October, the Commissioners Court voted to move the future intersection, giving developer The Signorelli Company the option to buy the land under the new proposed site. While the crossing won't be built for years, the current development of new neighborhoods and roads, including a 4,700-acre development by Signorelli scheduled to break ground later this year, will have an impact on the eventual location.

As Begley notes, "What George Foundation officials envision, however, is a project that will take much longer to sprout, but could become far larger and more profitable for county residents. It also would pour tens of millions into the charity’s bank account that eventually could be used to reduce homelessness, award scholarships for hundreds of college-bound and nursing students, provide materials for disaster relief and invest in local public health programs."

Commissioners involved in the recent decision have so far declined to comment on their reasoning. The issue remains unresolved, as the state and county plans for the Grand Parkway and its intersection with the Fort Bend Tollway remain unaligned.