Houston, TX -
On Monday, December 21 a traffic switch will occur on the section of Clear Lake City Boulevard currently being widened in between Almond Creek Drive and Pine Green Way just east of El Dorado Boulevard. The switch, scheduled to occur after 9:00 a.m. to minimize impact to rush hour traffic, will direct motorists traveling westbound on Clear Lake City Boulevard to the new outside lane north of the new median and closest to the Clear Lake Marketplace commercial development.
Once the switch occurs, the current westbound lane will be closed for construction, as will the new inside westbound lane north of the median. Traffic traveling east on Clear Lake City Boulevard will be unaffected and will remain in the normal single eastbound lane. Those traveling north on El Dorado Boulevard and making a left onto Clear Lake City Boulevard will proceed north of the median and onto the new outside westbound lane. To guide drivers making this turn, directional buttons will be placed on the street. All are advised to exercise caution when approaching and proceeding through the intersection of Clear Lake City and El Dorado, which will continue to function as a four-way stop prior to its signalization.
During the traffic switch, barricades will be on site to direct motorists through the new configuration and flagmen will be present as needed. The District E office has additionally contacted the Houston Police Department's Clear Lake Substation to ask that officers monitor the location and assist with traffic control when necessary.
The traffic switch is scheduled to be in place for the coming weeks until the widening of Clear Lake City Boulevard is complete, which is currently expected to occur in early January. Once the widening is complete, two lanes of traffic will be open in both directions from the boulevard's current four-lane terminus at Almond Creek Drive to approximately 1,000 feet east of El Dorado Boulevard.
A traffic signal is additionally being installed at the intersection of Clear Lake City and El Dorado and is expected to be operational prior to the grand opening of the Clear Lake Marketplace's new HEB grocery store in early February. Please note that all project timelines are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Please additionally note that several trees along this section of Clear Lake City Boulevard, in what will be the new median, are scheduled for removal beginning next week. The removal of these trees is necessary to accommodate the construction of a median cut at Majestic Trail as well as the installation of turn lanes on both sides of the boulevard. A comprehensive tree mitigation and landscaping plan was completed for the project and approved by the City of Houston's Parks and Recreation Department. As a result, trees being removed that are protected in the city's Code of Ordinances will be mitigated for by the replanting of new trees in public spaces around the Clear Lake Marketplace development.
