BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL VIEWS CONCEPTS FOR VISUAL FEATURES OF 290 – 36 INTERCHANGE PROJECT
290 - Highway 36 cloverleaf interchange in Brenham, as
presented during city council on Thursday.
(courtesy TxDOT)
Proposed aesthetic and landscaping elements for the overhaul of the Highway 290 – Highway 36 interchange in Brenham were presented today (Thursday) to city councilmembers.
Officials from TxDOT gave an overview of how the agency plans to redevelop the cloverleaf and walked through concepts for the appearance of the project, from the roadway improvements to the greenery along the highways.
Doug Marino, Director of Transportation, Planning and Development for TxDOT’s Bryan District, said the intent is to keep the structural style cohesive with Brenham’s “historic” look and character.
wall included as part of the Highway 290 - Highway 36
cloverleaf interchange in Brenham. This particular
design includes the mock-up of an ice cream cone,
referencing Brenham's status as the "Ice Cream Capital
of Texas".
(courtesy TxDOT)
Marino’s presentation included images of the Old Main Building on the Blinn College campus, Blue Bell Creameries, the Moody Wheeler building, Ant Street Inn, the Simon Theatre, Toubin Park, the Washington County Courthouse and the Brenham Fire Museum as landmarks that will be used as inspiration for the project.
Marino said TxDOT can work with the city to utilize its new brand guide in conjunction with the project, including potentially taking a version of the “Ice Cream Capital of Texas” logo being designed and incorporating it into bridge columns and retaining walls.
Councilmembers also saw some of the landscaping options available to the city for the types of grasses, plants and trees that could be put in. The city could choose to go with a base landscaping plan that is fully funded and maintained by TxDOT, or it could opt for additional greenery and more frequent maintenance, though the city would need to cover the cost for those.
part of the Highway 290 - Highway 36 cloverleaf
interchange project in Brenham.
(courtesy TxDOT)
The workshop item was only for discussion, so no action was taken by the council. Marino said he would like for the city to have its feedback on the design elements submitted by December.
The project spans 3.25 miles, from Windy Acres Road to FM 389 / Prairie Lea Street. Marino said TxDOT has acquired 59 of the 85 parcels of land needed for right-of-way, and he anticipates that it will have all parcels in its possession by the end of 2027.
The estimated cost for the project is $361 million. Marino expects TxDOT will award the contract in June 2028, with construction beginning in early 2029 and wrapping up in early 2032.
Click here to download the TxDOT presentation from Thursday's city council meeting.
Click here to view the agenda packet from Thursday's meeting.
