Texas 288 Tollway: Big Public-Private Partnership Plans

A public-private partnership to build a large tollway south of Houston has taken important first steps. Construction will commence later this year.

1 minute read

March 8, 2016, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"A tollway down the center of Texas 288 will start to take shape later this year," reports Dug Begley, "now that state transportation officials have finalized agreement [sic] with the private firm planning the road."

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reached the deal with Blueridge Transportation Group on the $815 million public-private partnership.

According to Begley, "[t]he project covers a 10.3-mile stretch from U.S. 59 to the Harris County line, including direct ramps to the Texas Medical Center and a new interchange with the Sam Houston Tollway." Begley includes more details about the current project as well as the potential for this project to lead into a $2.1 billion, 52-year project to build a private tollway along the public right of way.

Monday, March 7, 2016 in Houston Chronicle

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

4 seconds ago - South Dakota Searchlight

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

1 hour ago - Yale Environment 360

An Ariel view of Ocean Parkway, a busy six-lane highway

This road in NYC is infamously dangerous — and Mamdani can't fix it

New York City's Ocean Parkway is known for reckless driving, but the power to implement safety measures lies with the state rather than the city.

2 hours ago - Gothamist