Transportation
BY VANESSA HOLT & JULIANNA WASHBURN
The context
Several o cials in The Woodlands Township said while the project is outside of the township boundaries, the project could help alleviate tra c for residents in that area as well as for pedestrians and cyclists. Tra c on FM 2978 backs up to FM 1488 during rush hour, a ecting residents on the western side of the township, said Craig Eissler, vice chair of the township’s board of directors.
A $7 million-$10 million construction project on Tamina Road began in 2023 to improve mobility, safety and aesthetics on the corridor, which is a connector between FM 1488 and FM 2978.
COURTESY WESTWOOD MAGNOLIA PARKWAY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Tamina Road work nears nish line while businesses report disruption
“If they can ... provide another avenue of relief for that congestion, that’s going to help the ow for all users.”
CRAIG EISSLER, CHAIR, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP
Drivers and businesses along Tamina Road will see continued construction along the corridor. The work is expected to be substantially completed by the end of the year, Westwood Magnolia Parkway Improvement District con rmed in a Sept. 23 project update. However, businesses have reported power and other utility outages as a result of the work. O cials with WMPID said via news release that the organization “understands and shares the frustration regarding ... utility service disruptions along the corridor.” WMPID Executive Director Rob Eissler said they’re working to communicate with businesses to get issues resolved. The $7 million-$10 million project began in 2023 to improve mobility, safety and aesthetics on Tamina Road, per prior reporting. “The road was getting old. ... It needed to be rehabbed,” Eissler said in an interview.
1488
2978
“It will help with tra c ow, increase safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.”
TAMINA RD.
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CINDY HEISER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP
Improvements to Tamina Road will include:
Adding pedestrian walkways to provide easier and safer access to businesses along Tamina Road
Upgraded landscaping
Adding bike lanes
“The project will certainly improve tra c ow and relieve congestion at 1488 and 2978.” RICHARD FRANKS, TREASURER, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP
Adding left-turn lanes
Improving existing drainage
SOURCE: WESTWOOD MAGNOLIA PARKWAY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY IMPACT
Who it a ects
the utilities on Tamina Road, Rob Eissler said they will continue to coordinate with the utility owners to reduce disruptions and keep the road project moving. Rob Eissler said while contractors should be aware of disruptions, businesses can reach out to WMPID with concerns. The road construction phase is expected to be substantially completed by the end of the year, Rob Eissler said.
water going out, our electricity going out and our internet going out,” Nguyen said. Rob Eissler said the disruption to pipes is partly caused by the lack of a map to where the underground pipes are located. “We try to minimize [the disruptions] and then repair them as soon as possible, and we sure don’t want our businesses to su er through this process,” Rob Eissler said. While WMPID said it does not own or operate
While Rob Eissler said the project will eventually bene t businesses along the road, he knows that some have been negatively a ected by it. Courtney Nguyen, the owner of The Flour Petal Bakery, opened up her brick-and- mortar shop along Tamina Road in March. The owner said when her business’s driveway was blocked o in June, sales dropped 40%. “We’ve been dealing with daily issues like our
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THE WOODLANDS EDITION
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