Council authorizes submission of $2.76 million TxDOT grant for Lake Road shared‑use path; approves $35,000 application fee

The Lake Jackson City Council on April 7 authorized the city manager to hire engineering consultant Kimley‑Horn to complete and submit a full application for a $2,760,000 Transportation Alternatives Program grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to build a shared‑use path on Lake Road.

Staff said TxDOT recommended the project advance from the preliminary phase and that the full application would seek $2,760,000; if selected the city would be expected to provide a 20% local match and an advanced funding agreement would be required. Staff presented a reduced‑scope design intended to limit costly utility relocations and lamp‑pole work that had driven prior cost estimates higher.

The council authorized spending up to $35,000 to complete and submit the full application and noted the city has already spent $8,000 of consultant funds on the preliminary application; staff said both sums would come from the city’s sidewalk fund.

Staff described the path as a long‑standing priority from the city’s hike‑and‑bike and parks master plans and said the route would better connect business centers, the hospital area, Dow Chemical and recreational facilities. The grant award is expected in October; staff noted that if selected the city will have additional follow‑up funding requirements and agreements to execute with TxDOT.

Sources: staff presentation and council action at Lake Jackson City Council meeting, April 7, 2025.