Buc-ee's to build I-10 travel center in Katy

Shoppers look over the barbecue station at the Buc-ee's in Baytown. The chain is based in Lake Jackson. Shoppers look over the barbecue station at the Buc-ee's in Baytown. The chain is based in Lake Jackson. Photo: Michael Ciaglo Michael Ciaglo, Staff Photo: Michael Ciaglo Michael Ciaglo, Staff Image 1 of / 41 Caption Close Buc-ee's to build I-10 travel center in Katy 1 / 41 Back to Gallery

Buc-ee's, the mega-convenience store chain, will add to its Texas presence with a travel center along Interstate 10 in Katy.

Katy City Council on Monday unanimously approved the Katy Development Authority's agreement with the company, which will build a travel center at the northeast corner of I-10 and Cane Island Parkway, which is west of FM 1463, Katy City Administrator Byron Hebert said.

Beaver Aplin, Buc-ee's co-founder, said the travel center will be between 50,000 and 60,000 square feet and have 100 gas pumps. It will feature a tunnel car wash, or one that moves vehicles through on a conveyor belt system, Aplin said.

Aplin said he would like to be able to begin construction this summer. The targeted opening time would be in the summer of 2017, he added.

Hebert said remaining work before the project begins includes the city working with the Texas Department of Transportation to build a "much needed" frontage road connecting FM 1463 and Cane Island Parkway.

The Katy travel center will be the 37th location for Buc-ee's, the Lake Jackson-based convenience store chain that first opened in 1982. The company recently announced plans for a store in Baton Rouge, La. -- the first Buc-ee's location outside Texas.