TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Draft plan recommends $1.2B in mobility projects for Magnolia
COMPILED BY ANNA LOTZ
UPCOMING PROJECTS
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Recommendations included in a master thoroughfare plan underway for the city of Magnolia total $1.2 billion in mobility projects, ranging from roadway widenings to new traffic signals and bicycle lanes. Cristin Emshoff, an urban planner with Baxter & Woodman, presented an update on the master thorough- fare plan process during a second public meeting May 25. In a nutshell: The plan’s purpose is to identify recommendations for the city’s transportation network, priori- ties for the community and potential funding sources for the projects, Emshoff said. Quote of note: “The whole process of creating a master thoroughfare plan very much helps a community like Magnolia where we’re building out. We’re trying to add more road sys- tems, [alleviate] traffic congestion, and, in general, the city can’t afford it on its own,” Emshoff said. A closer look: As part of the planning process, comments from Magno- lia-area stakeholders were submitted via the plan’s website and at an open house in February. The draft recom- mendations shared May 25 include 45 projects grouped into six categories: • Projects that could be done in coordination with Magnolia ISD, such as working with the district to draw school pickup and drop-off traffic from the roadways • Projects that could be done with the Texas Department of Trans- portation, such as adding a traffic signal at Magnolia Ridge Boulevard
and FM 1488 • Maintenance of older, narrow roads • Widening Buddy Riley Boulevard • Studies, such as a drainage master plan and a trail study • Road projects that would be funded by developers and include widening roads as new develop- ment comes along Sorting out details: Representatives with Baxter & Woodman stressed partnerships are needed to make
these projects become reality. Poten- tial funding sources include: • Magnolia ISD • TxDOT • City of Magnolia • Montgomery County Precinct 2 • Developers Stay tuned: The next step in the plan process is presenting a final report to the city, Emshoff said, which was anticipated to take place in June.
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ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF JUNE 14. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT TOMNEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. mailed to Commissioner Charlie Riley, Montgomery County Precinct 2, 19110 Unity Park Drive, Magnolia, Texas 77355, or submitted to connor@hollawayenv.com. Timeline: TBD Cost: $110 million Funding sources: state, local FM 149 extension proposed Montgomery County is proposing a 3.45-mile extension of FM 149 south to Hwy. 249 as a four-lane divided highway. It will replace a bridge over Lake Creek, construct a new bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks and Jackson Road and eliminate an at-grade railroad crossing and intersection with Jackson Road. The project also provides a direct, nontolled connection to Hwy. 249, according to county information. No structures are expected to be displaced by the project, although the county would need to acquire additional right of way to extend the road. Construction is not anticipated to begin until 2024-28, Senior Project Manager Blair Stocker said. A public meeting was held June 14 in Magnolia on the proposed project. Public comments will be accepted until midnight July 14 and can be
While the draft thoroughfare plan includes 45 recommended projects in Magnolia, residents at a May 25 meeting emphasized three projects they believe should be priorities. Projects are proposed, so timelines are not available. PRIORITY PROJECTS
1 Buddy Riley Boulevard widening Estimated cost: $19.55 million Funding sources: city of Magnolia, Montgomery County Precinct 2
2 Traffic signal at FM 1488 and Magnolia Ridge Boulevard Estimated cost: $400,000 Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation
3 Four-lane Magnolia Relief Rout e Estimated cost: $41.22 million Funding source: TxDOT
MAGNOLIA RELIEF ROUTE
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MAGNOLIA RIDGE BLVD.
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SOURCE: BAXTER & WOODMAN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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TOMBALL - MAGNOLIA EDITION • JUNE 2023
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