The Panther

Media Credit: Evan White

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), with insistence from the city of Prairie View, recently began the year-long task of widening the section of University Drive from Highway 290 to the street's intersection at Owens Road just off-campus.

TxDOT's $3.9 million remodeling plan, phase one of a three-part process, will include the expansion of the street from two lanes to five lanes (including a turning lane), an elevated sidewalk and street lighting.

Mayor Frank D. Jackson said, "[The planning] for this project began five years ago because the city of Prairie View had to convince TxDOT to include the project as a part of their master plans."

The widening of the street started at the end of March and will continue for approximately a year, according to Jackson. To begin the project, the city is installing the sewer portion of the street and will have to do some "engineering gymnastics" to successfully avoid damaging pipes and water lines and complete the task.

The remodeling plan had at least one supporter in sophomore student Sasha Nelson, who felt "it was good to get lights out there" to protect against accidents and crime, though she felt the construction equipment and crews were a slight nuisance since she felt their proximity to the road created a dangerous situation.

The widening project could be the first in a three-part plan to improve roads in and around Prairie View A&M University in the coming years, pending funding.

Plans are also in place to widen University Drive from Highway 290 to Business 290 which was originally tabbed to begin the project until Prairie View leaders convinced TxDOT to change it. The third and final phase will widen Owens Road in a similar fashion to University Drive. All the remodeling plans are a part of the city's plans to eventually attract more business and entertainment options for the university's students, faculty and staff.

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