TxDOT SHOWS NEW CONCEPTS FOR REDESIGN OF SOUTH DAY STREET, HIGHWAY 36

  

Brenham City Councilmembers received an updated look today (Thursday) at TxDOT’s plans to redesign sections of South Day Street and Highway 36, on the south side of Brenham.

Staff from TxDOT and the city went through a presentation that showcased designs for raised medians and dedicated left-turn lanes along South Day Street, extending north just past the entrances to H-E-B, and along Highway 36, as far south as the turn-in to Whataburger and Bush’s Chicken.  The project plans have evolved since the initial design was presented in 2023, cutting back how far the medians extended along South Day Street and expanding the project limits to include Highway 36.

Doug Marino, Director of Transportation, Planning and Development for TxDOT’s Bryan District, acknowledged that the project area is a “challenging” one to solve, as it sees a high volume of vehicles – approximately 20,000 per day.  He believes the current concept can make traffic navigation more efficient and safer.

Some parts of the proposal were viewed favorably by the council, with Mayor Atwood Kenjura saying traffic at Wal-Mart would no longer have to battle five lanes.  However, Kenjura and Councilmember Leah Cook were worried about the proposed changes by H-E-B, saying traffic turning northbound out of the parking lot would still need to cross the southbound lanes.  Kenjura asked if lowering the speed limit could be considered, to which Marino replied they could look at that if the city wished them to.

Two residents, Brad Tegeler and Brian Herzog, spoke at the beginning of the meeting with concerns about the medians.  Tegeler asked TxDOT to consider putting in a signal by Sonic Drive-In while placing greater focus on Highway 36 between Wal-Mart and the Bluebonnet Shopping Center.  Herzog said he was concerned about access to businesses with the proposed medians and agreed that a light may be a better solution.

Marino said TxDOT will continue to make design tweaks as it receives feedback.  Another public meeting to go over the project is planned for early next year.  Depending on the input received, TxDOT could go out for bid on the project by December 2026.

Click here to download and view the presentation shown to the Brenham City Council.

Also at today’s meeting, the council:

• Approved the purchase of two pickup trucks from LaRoche Chevrolet for the Parks Department, in the amount of $85,614.
• Approved a resolution to accept public infrastructure improvements for Phase 7 of the Vintage Farms subdivision.
• Held an executive session to discuss the possible purchase, exchange or acquisition of real property for Electric Department improvements and facilities.  No action was scheduled to be taken.