LEAGUE CITY — The former Auto World property has been cleared to make way for a $4.7 million project aimed at easing congestion and improving pedestrian connections at one of League City’s busiest intersections.

Sarah Osbourne, League City’s communications director, told KGTX 7 the demolition is part of preparations for the SH 3 at FM 518 Intersection Improvement Project, which will expand turn lanes and upgrade the traffic signal.

The project required the city to acquire two tracts from Auto World, including its parking lot and office building. Osbourne said the city and property owner agreed on a purchase price and coordinated a suitable time for the business to vacate the property.

For drivers, the planned improvements include second left-turn lanes on SH 3, extensions of existing left- and right-turn lanes, and new right-turn lanes. The project also includes traffic signal upgrades and changes to how vehicles access properties along FM 518.

Osbourne said the improvements are designed to give more vehicles room to queue at the intersection, improve traffic flow and reduce congestion during peak travel times.

New sidewalks and trails are also planned to improve pedestrian connectivity around the intersection.

A construction timeline has not yet been confirmed. Osbourne said she is working with the city’s project management leadership to confirm the project’s progress through design, when construction is anticipated to begin and how long the work is expected to take.