Conroe - Montgomery Edition | November 2023

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Conroe Montgomery Edition VOLUME 9, ISSUE 8 NOV. 18DEC. 18, 2023

Bus driver Latoya Lloyd said Conroe ISD is still seeing the eects of the district’s driver shortage.

CASSANDRA JENKINSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Conroe ISD studies current, future transit needs

is grouped in with Proposition A, which voters approved. It will fund new buses and renovations to the East County Transportation Center renova- tions, which serves the Caney Creek feeder zone.

the past year by oering incentives, but an addi- tional $22 million is slated to be infused into the transportation program from the Nov. 7 bond. The $1.99 billion bond included four dierent propositions. The $22 million for transportation

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

Conroe ISD is among the districts aected by the national school bus driver shortage. Juan Melendez, director of transportation for CISD, said the district has made some progress in

CONTINUED ON 30

Also in this issue

Impacts: Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen opens in Conroe (page 6)

Education: Montgomery ISD gives bond project updates (page 15)

Community: 14 opportunities to volunteer locally (page 34)

Nonprofit: Choral society celebrates 52 years (page 38)

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

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Models are not an indication of racial preference. Floor plans, maps and renderings are artist’s conception based on preliminary information, not to scale and subject to change. This is not an offer of real estate for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, to residents of any state or province in which registration and other legal requirements have not been fulfilled. Pricing does not include options, elevation, or lot premiums, effective date of publication and subject to change without notice. All square footages and measurements are approximate and subject to change without notice. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. School enrollment and boundaries subject to change. Equal Housing Opportunity. 10/23

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About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

Impacts

• 20220 Eva St., Montgomery • www.dutchbros.com

Willis

3 Eclipse Cycle Owner Sarah Boeding opened Eclipse Cycle. Cycle classes are led by instructors who guide guests to pedal to the beat of the music while implementing choreography as well as ab and arm workouts. • Opened Oct. 28 • 1300 S. Frazier St., Ste. 316, Conroe • www.eclipseindoorcycle.com 4 Woods Cakery Bakery Brandy Woods’ new bakery specializes in custom cakes and cookies as well as baked goods, such as cinnamon rolls, macarons, standard cookies, cupcakes and pies. • Opened Nov. 6 5 ClearWater Express Wash The business’ wash menu includes ceramic shield, wax and seal, wash and shine, and wash and wheels. • Opened Aug. 7 • 111 N. Holland St., Willis • www.clearwaterexpresswash.com • 17099 Walden Road, Conroe • www.woodscakerybakery.com

HOLLAND ST.

Montgomery

1097

LONE STAR PKWY.

LAKE CONROE

830

2432

1484

105

149

2854

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KEENAN CUT OFF RD.

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Conroe

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Coming soon

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6 A Game Changer The two-story entertainment center will have arcade games, a speakeasy-themed bar, a patio, private event space and a coffee bar. After 8 p.m., A Game Changer will transition into an 18 and up venue.

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MAP NOT TO SCALE

• Opening in November • 109 Metcalf St., Conroe • www.agamechangerconroe.com

• Slated to open Nov. 17 after press time • 10900 I-45 S., Conroe • www.livingspaces.com/stores/conroe

Now open

7 Discount Tire Tire and wheel retailer Discount Tire offers tires, wheels and vehicle accessories, according to its website. • Opening in summer 2024 • 20270 Eva St., Montgomery • www.discounttire.com

1 Living Spaces Home furnishings retailer Living Spaces includes bedroom, living room, dining room, home office and outdoor collections. The store also includes a sleep center, in-store cafe and a kids fun space, according to a news release.

2 Dutch Bros Coffee The drive-thru and walk-up coffee shop serves coffees, smoothies, teas, freezes, shakes and energy drinks. • Opened Aug. 24

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8 Paulette Cafe The new French restaurant will offer homemade crepes, pizzas, French pastries, a bakery and charcuterie boards. • Opening Dec. 1 • 406 N. Thompson St., Ste. 101, Conroe • www.paulettecafé.com 9 ClearWater Express Wash The business offers car washes from $19.99-$39.99, including ceramic shield, wax and seal, wash and shine,

Now open

Coming soon

and wash and wheels. • Opening in January

• 14667 Hwy. 105 W., Montgomery • www.clearwaterexpresswash.com

10 Twisted Parrot Luxury RV Resort The new resort-style RV park will feature a private lake, family pool, swim-up pool bar, on-site restaurant, fitness center, clubhouse and a dog park. • Opening May 24 • 15075 Walden Road, Montgomery • www.facebook.com/twistedparrotluxuryrvresort 11 Lone Star Post, Pack & Parcel The store will offer packing, shipping, printing, copying and mailbox rental services as well as passport photos, notary services, large document scanning, office supplies and gift items. • Opening in November • 14132 FM 1097 W., Willis • www.instagram.com/lonestarpostpackandparcel

14 Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen The Tex-Mex spot offers favorites such as fajitas, enchiladas and tacos, alongside house specialties such as Pollo Marisco, Veracruz, and Ribeye Street Tacos. Guests can also savor Gringo’s famous green sauce and Cadillac Margaritas. • Opened Nov. 7 • 2550 I-45 N., Conroe • www.gringostexmex.com

16 7 Brew 7 Brew has two locations coming soon to the Conroe area. The drive-thru coffee stand chain offers seven signature drinks, iced and hot beverages, teas, smoothies, sparkling water, and shakes, according to its website. • A 366 FM 1488, Conroe B 3828 W. Davis St., Conroe

• Opening in April • www.7brew.com

17 Majkszak’s Meat Market After 21 years, the old-fashioned, family-owned meat market is changing its operations to provide services on a pre-order basis with scheduled pick-up times. • 4900 W. Davis St., D2, Conroe • www.majkszaksmeats.com

Downtown Conroe. The business offers acupuncture and wellness with a focus on neuropathy and drug-free pain management. • Relocated Oct. 10 • 21105 Eva St., Montgomery • www.clearchoiceacupuncture.com

Relocations

12 The Highland Pine Company The home decor and accessories store specializes in high-quality, rare and unique pieces. The location is planning to relocate along Eva Street by mid-November. • Relocating mid-November • 21123 Eva St., Ste. 110, Montgomery • www.thehighlandpine.com 13 Clear Choice Acupuncture and Wellness Alyson Bayer relocated her practice after 11 years in

In the news

Closings

15 Diva Boutique The boutique is celebrating its 25th anniversary in November and offers customers a variety of clothing and accessories for all occasions, Owner Doreen King said. • 810 Pine Market Ave., Ste. 120, Montgomery • www.shopdivaboutique.com

18 Tasting Point Liquors Wines & Foods The business announced a liquidation sale Nov. 1 as the business prepares to close. • Closing Dec. 31 • 4849 FM 1488, Ste. 700, The Woodlands • www.tastingpointslwf.com

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Government

BY RACHEL LELAND

Vehicle inspection to no longer be required in Texas by 2025 the program requirement in 1976. According to the professionals

Beginning in 2025, Texas drivers will no longer need to get their vehicles inspected. The framework On Aug. 5, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3297 into law, which eliminates mandatory vehicle safety inspections for noncommercial vehicles. Drivers must still pay the annual inspection fee of $7.50 but will no longer need to take their vehicle in for inspection prior to registering it. If a vehicle was not previously registered, drivers will pay $16.75 instead and won’t be required to pay the $7.50 fee for the next registration year for the same vehicle. The 17 Texas counties that require annual emissions tests—including Dallas, Harris and Travis counties, along with several counties around Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston—will continue to do so. Only 13 other states have mandatory vehicle inspections since the federal government ended

Inspection program replacement fee The $7.50 fee supports the following funds:

While proponents—such as state Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, who filed the bill—have argued mandatory vehicle inspections are unnec- essary, one vehicle inspector said he worries doing away with the requirement could put drivers’ safety at risk and threaten the survival of his business. “I just think it defies logic,” said Larry Harris, owner of Larry’s Auto Inspection in Houston. “If nobody is making sure the vehicles are safe, there’s going to be some unsafe vehicles on the street.” Larry Harris said he was particularly concerned about people being able to drive without their steering wheel, brakes or tires up to standard. Community Impact reached out to several state representatives from its coverage areas, but they declined to comment.

Texas mobility fund ($3.50) : Finances the construction, reconstruction, acquisition and expansion of state highways

General revenue fund ($2) : Serves as Texas’ primary operating fund

Clean air account ($2) : Safeguards Texas’ air resources, recovers the costs of permitting new or modified emission sources and recovers the costs of permit reviews and renewals

SOURCES: TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TXDOT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

Government

Montgomery County plans to use remaining $8.23M in ARPA funds Montgomery County unobligated $2.87 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding during the Oct. 24 Commissioners Court meeting in an effort to use funding before it expires in 2024. Unobligated funding is no longer designated toward a specific purpose and can be repurposed. Two-minute impact During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county dedicated ARPA funding toward staffing local hospitals with nurses and medical personnel. Out of that funding, as of Oct. 24, the county still holds $2.87 million, which was no longer being used by the local hospitals. The county already has a certain number of projects that will use a total of $8.23 million in funding before it is frozen against potential

Conroe approves Hyatt budget

$5.3 million in ARPA unobligated funds ARPA funds remaining

Colin Boothe, Conroe’s director of finance and assistant city administrator, shared a draft fiscal year 2023-24 budget Nov. 8 for the Hyatt Regency Conroe and Convention Center, which projects $10.7 million in reve- nue and $11.38 million in expenses. Council approved the budget Nov. 9. In a nutshell The updated budget figures are, at the request of council, a decrease from the hotel’s original projections of $12.76 million in revenues and $12.75 million in expenses. Prior to opening in May, council approved a $5.1 million cash infusion to sustain hotel operations. By September 2024, around $638,575 of the original $5.1 million is expected to remain, according to Nov. 8 documents.

$2.87 million previously slated for nurse staffing

SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

further uses, including: • $5 million toward a new radio tower in Precinct 1 • $155,850 for a new mental health investigator What else? County Budget Officer Amanda Carter also requested roughly $2 million be set aside for pay- roll and emergency purposes. Precinct 3 Com- missioner James Noack requested the remaining funds, which totaled to just over $1 million, also be frozen and have no more ARPA expenditures in fiscal year 2023-24.

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Montgomery County expands preparedness The Montgomery County Oce of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is working to prepare for emergency scenarios while becom- ing a regional hub for more rural counties. A closer look County ocials approved accepting one new mobile command unit for $1.25 million during the Oct. 10 Commissioners Court meeting. It will provide a recovery space for rst responders as well as transporting any injured persons. A 17,000-square-foot storage facility holds thousands of supplies that can be deployed to locations across the county during an emergency, but the length of time it takes to transport those resources is often delayed by the emergency in question, said Jason Millsaps, director of emer- gency management.

City of Montgomery discusses 3-year terms During its Oct. 24 meeting, Montgomery City Council discussed the potential of extending the terms of council members from two to three years, but no action was taken. Zooming out City Administrator Gary Palmer said council members can change their term length to a maximum of four years with a majority vote by qualied voters. If the vote passes, the new term length would only apply to newly elected members, council member Casey Olsen said. “The city is growing so much, and a two- year term really—you don’t get a lot done,” council member Cheryl Fox said. “A three- year term would be good. ... That way, your council would be more consistent and have more continuity.”

Jason Millsaps, executive director of emergency management, shows the county’s store of oxygen tanks.

JESSICA SHORTENCOMMUNITY IMPACT

What’s being done As a result, county ocials are looking at constructing additional shelter and storage spaces at each precinct in Montgomery County. Funding and construction of the buildings are still being discussed, and no funding has been dedicated at this time. Millsaps said the new facilities would allow them to keep a set amount of emergency supplies in each precinct and have surplus at the main storage facility to reduce wait times in emergencies.

CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION

Government

Lake Conroe celebrates 50 years of operations As one of the key structures for water supply for Montgomery County and the City of Houston, the Lake Conroe Dam Division is celebrating its 50th year of operations while looking to future rehabili- tation eorts. “I don’t know that anyone has a good idea of the lifespan of some of the components of the dam right now, which is why maintaining the dam is of utmost importance,” said Lake Conroe Division Manager Bret Raley. Two-minute impact Spanning 2.2 miles, Lake Conroe Dam is con- trolled by ve gates which rotate to ow from Lake Conroe. Constructed and lled in 1973, it serves as a water supply reservoir. • Lake Conroe spans roughly 20,000 acres • Supplied by West Fork of the San Jacinto River

Bret Raley, division manager for the Lake Conroe Dam, discusses the operations for the dam.

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Did you know?

Dig deeper While Lake Conroe does provide surface water for a large portion of Montgomery County, the dam division also handles a number of other related operations such as:

• Normal lake height is 201 feet above sea level “There’s a physical dierence in the way ood control reservoirs and water supply reservoirs are made and [Lake Conroe] is not made for it; we don’t have enough capacity above when the lake is full,” Raley said. When at full capacity, there is only about 18 inches of room for excess water to ow into before water has to begin to be released through the dam, Raley said. What’s next Raley said the dam is under constant monitoring and maintenance to prevent a large-scale reha- bilitation eort. However, one is likely necessary as some major repairs are upcoming, such as the replacement of the cables that hold and move the ve dam gates, as well as cleaning of the gates themselves. “If we were to see any anomaly, if we were to see a little depression or a wet spot, if we were to see something that we didn’t see the last time or have never seen, right then we’re going to stop, and we’re going to investigate it,” Raley said.

While the dam is operated and maintained in Montgomery County, two-thirds of the water within Lake Conroe is owned by the city of Houston. During ood events, Houston city ocials can request water to be released.

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“We serve a lot of functions, but at the end of the day, we’re here for one reason and one reason only: to make sure that that dam and that water supply stay there,” Raley said.

Operators with the Lake Conroe Division place a barrier down the dam to allow for an inspection of the gates.

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Education

BY EMILY LINCKE

Montgomery ISD gives update on $326.9M bond projects

On Oct. 17, Montgomery ISD leaders provided an update on several 2022 bond projects, including the district’s career and technology center and agricultural science center, which are expected to go out for bid in early 2024. The update So far, the district has spent about $40 million of the $326.9 million from the May 2022 bond pack- age, MISD Chief Operations Ocer Kris Lynn said. • Draft renderings for the $61.6 million career and technology center and the $21.3 million agricultural science center were shown Oct. 17. Additional project design details for the centers will go before trustees in November for approval. The projects are expected to be nished in July 2025. • Renovations at Montgomery Junior High and at Lincoln and Montgomery elementary schools are scheduled to be complete by December.

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The proposed career and technical education center will be located along Lone Star Parkway.

105

RENDERINGS COURTESY MONTGOMERY ISD

• Construction of Lake Creek High School’s $27.8 million expansion is expected to be complete by July. • The $33.5 million Creekside Elementary is slated to wrap up in July. • Work could start on Montgomery High School renovations as early as mid-March, while the project is expected to be completed in July 2025.

The draft rendering of Montgomery ISD’s agriculture center was shared Oct. 17.

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CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION

Education

Conroe ISD voters approved bond propositions A-C on the Nov. 7 ballot for eight new schools, upgraded technology devices, a new agriculture barn and physical education classrooms, according to unocial results from Montgomery County. However, voters rejected Proposition D, which included funding for a new 50-meter outdoor pool and natatorium upgrades. The $1.9 billion bond package was the largest ask in school history. With the failing of Proposition D, the bond amount decreases by approximately $23 million. However, the remaining $1.88 million still eclipses the $653 million passed in 2019. CISD voters approve 3 bond propositions

What they’re saying

Results breakdown

Proposition A - $1.8 million Proposes 8 new schools, 3 additions, 5 major renovations, 2 master plans

The district opened five new schools with 2019 bond funds. The 2023 bond will allow the district the funds to build eight additional schools, including a Conroe-area high school, junior high and intermediate campus as well as an elementary school in the Hwy. 242 corridor that is not specific to a feeder zone. Board President Skeeter Hubert said he is excited about the progress the district will make.

61.08% For

38.92% Against

Proposition B - $40 million Proposes new technology devices, upgrades

58.34% For

41.66% Against

Proposition C - $112.8 million Proposes a new agricultural barn and adding 18 physical education classrooms to elementary campuses

“What we saw was the community and school district’s values lining up, and having that partnership is important. When you get an engaged community to agree with 75%

41.25% Against

58.75% For

Proposition D - $22.9 million Proposes a new 50-meter outdoor pool with upgrades to the current natatorium

of what we are doing in the district, that is a huge win.” SKEETER HUBERT, CONROE ISD BOARD PRESIDENT

50.76% Against

49.24% For

SOURCES: MONTGOMERY COUNTY ELECTIONS, CONROE ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

What else?

Next steps

Hubert said once the votes are officially canvassed Nov. 14—which was after press time Nov. 13—the district can begin to move forward with building new schools. “With funds from past bonds, we’ve already secured the land for a lot of those new campuses, and we are ready to start moving some dirt and get some schools built,” he said. Hubert said the district is not discussing any plans for another bond despite the failed proposition for the natatorium. Upcoming board of trustee meetings:

odd-numbered years than during midterm and presidential election years. In 2022, Montgomery County had 409,739 registered voters—over 50% voted in the election that year.

There were 72,942 ballots cast countywide for the Nov. 7 election, which represents 17.25% of Montgomery County’s 422,932 registered voters. Historically, voter turnout has been lower on

Montgomery County voter turnout 2017-23 in November elections

500K

Turnout

Registered voters who did not vote

400K

73.24% 273,098

300K

• Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. • Jan. 16 at 6 p.m.

50.94% 208,701

57.41% 191,860

200K

Meetings are held in the Deane L. Sadler Administration/Technology Center, 3205 W. Davis St., Conroe. Meetings can also be streamed live on the Conroe ISD YouTube Channel.

17.25% 72,942

16.70% 56,864

100K

11.58% 44,375

4.14% 13,059

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Election years

SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY ELECTIONS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

Education

Willis ISD to hire 5 more security officers The Willis ISD board of trustees approved adding five more school resource officers Oct. 18 to officially meet the district’s quota for House Bill 3. HB 3 passed during the 88th Texas Legislature, requiring school districts in the state to provide one armed officer on all campuses during regular school hours. In April, WISD partnered with the sheriff’s office to provide nine SROs. What’s happening? According to district officials, the addition of five new officers will bring the district to being fully staffed with an officer at all campuses. • WISD’s school resources officers are contracted through the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. • The district currently contracts nine officers through the sheriff’s department.

UST weighs need for new Catholic school The University of St. Thomas surveyed Montgomery County residents in October to determine potential interest in a new Catholic high school. Some context Chief University Services Officer Carla Alsandor said the survey is the first part of a feasibility study. The university’s steering committee was created in the spring to begin studying the needs and gathering feedback. “There has been an interest within the community in Montgomery County and the Conroe area in particular for a Catholic high school,” Alsandor said. She said UST and professional consulting firm Meitler will next analyze survey results and make decisions about the next steps.

The Willis ISD board of trustees approved adding ve more school resource ocers.

COURTESY WILLIS ISD

• Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson and Superintendent Tom Crowe will work together to hire the positions. “With recent events and continued increasing enrollment, we need five additional school resource officers to cover all campuses, depart- ments and events properly,” Crowe said in an emailed statement. “We also have new manda- tory requirements under Texas House Bill 3. ... We feel confident we can hire the officers as we continue to improve our safety precautions.”

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & EMILY LINCKE

Conroe ISD to implement new cellphone policy Conroe ISD will begin to implement a new cellphone policy for pre-K to sixth grade to restrict usage on campus. The setup CISD started a School Cell Phone Committee in August to begin evaluating its cellphone guidelines. During an Oct. 17 board meeting, trustees approved the committee’s first round of rec- ommendations for students in prekindergarten through sixth grade. How we got here The School Cell Phone Committee held meetings Sept. 7 and 18. Deputy Superintendent Bethany Medford said the 53 voting members consisted of parents, teachers, administration, counselors and students from all CISD feeder zones.

Montgomery ISD to pay $3.1M to state Montgomery ISD has been ordered to pay $3.1 million for fiscal year 2022-23 under the state’s excess local revenue—or recapture— law, district leaders announced Oct. 17. What’s happening? Under the Texas Education Code, school districts can be required to “share their local tax revenue” with others in the state, accord- ing to the Texas Education Agency’s website. MISD has paid about $9.6 million to the state under this law since 2013, according to an Oct. 17 presentation from Justin Marino, MISD’s

New guidelines

Permitted • Cellphones and smartwatches can only be used before and after school. Not permitted • Devices cannot be used to capture video, audio or images at school or on the bus. • All cellphones and smartwatches must be kept on silent mode in designated storage areas. • Cellphones and smartwatches should not be visible during designated school hours. • The use of cellphones and smartwatches will only be permitted in extenuating circumstances.

SOURCE: CONROE ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The committee sent out three surveys during the study. In the final survey to community members, all 37 respondents approved of the draft pre-K-6 cellphone guidelines that were presented. Medford said the implementation of the new policy will begin this fall. “We have no concerns about enforcing [the policy] for [pre-K]-6,” she said.

chief of staff and communications. A school district is required to pay

recaptured funds when they are considered “property wealthy” by the state, Marino said. “Three million dollars is ... nearly a 4% raise for our employees,” Marino said.

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

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Education

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

The Lone Star College System chancellor’s oce is hosted in The Woodlands Leadership Building.

COURTESY LONE STAR COLLEGE SYSTEM

CASSANDRA JENKINSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Mario Castillo appointed Lone Star College System’s fth chancellor Mario Castillo was appointed the fth chancellor of the Lone Star College System in August. Castillo follows former Chancellor Stephen Head, who retired this year. Castillo has served LSCS since 2015 as vice chan- cellor, general counsel and chief operating ocer. He is also the rst Hispanic LSCS chancellor. What are your thoughts on House Bill 8’s changes to the way community colleges are funded? I’m a much bigger fan of outcome-based funding.

That means we’re not going to be an enrollment-fo- cused institution anymore. We are going to be a retention-focused institution, which means that what I’m more interested in is keeping the students that we have rather than recruiting more. What industries do you expect will have the most signicant workforce needs over the next 10 years? Information technology; computers, national security, information technology and computer chips. A lot of our computer chips come from overseas, and so we are vulnerable to countries that are not entirely friendly to the United States. What are some short- and long-term goals you have for the LSCS? I’m a big proponent of one LSC, so for the next 10 months, my goal is to get all 7,000 of our employees doing the same thing and working collaboratively

toward the same goal. Long term, I want to win the Aspen Prize and be the No. 1 community college in the country based on outcomes. How will you prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion, especially with the passing of Senate Bill 17 eliminating DEI oces? Most of our processes were built to be compliant with all the laws that I think our state legislators were worried about violating when they passed their recent DEI statutes. We’re an incredibly diverse institution from the very top.

This interview has been edited for length, style and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .

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CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION

Transportation

BY JESSICA SHORTEN

Montgomery County slates $58.7M in pass-through tolls for road projects

What’s next

The county has previously submitted a call for projects with the Houston- Galveston Area Council to increase chances of advancing projects in a timely manner, Millsaps said. While the pass-through funding takes place through a separate request directly to TxDOT, the efforts are coordinated to move projects forward on the county’s list while reducing the tax burden on residents, he said.

Montgomery County sent a letter to the Texas Department of Transportation in October requesting permission to use $58.7 million in pass-through funding to move several state highway projects forward. The tool allows the state to reimburse some project costs by paying a fee for each vehicle that drives on the road. A list of 12 projects were selected between the four county precincts, including three in the Conroe area totaling $24.5 million. The $58.7 million comes from tolls collected on roads such as Hwy. 249, which are held in escrow by TxDOT. Jason Millsaps, chief of staff for the county judge, said the county is not in sole control of the funding, but it can request it to be used toward specific projects.

COUNTRY LINE RD.

1097

2432

1484

105

149

336

Countywide funds

2854

Precinct 1: $9.5M Precinct 2: $16.67M Precinct 3: $19.57M Precinct 4: $13M

1 FM 1097 ($5M): Realign to make horizontal curves better; align to FM 1097 West at FM 149. 2 FM 2854 ($15M): Widen to four lanes. 3 FM 2432 ($4.5M): Widen to four lanes, add railroad grade separation.

$58.74M Total:

SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

CONROE 1304 W Davis (936) 539-8787

MONTGOMERY PLAZA 1420 N Loop 336 W (936) 441-7161

NORTH CONROE 18434 Hwy 105 W (936) 582-5410

WILLIS 9618 FM 1097 (936) 228-0385

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY ANNA LOTZ

Ongoing projects

Willis

149

1097

Montgomery

BLUEBERRY HILL

COUNTY LINE RD.

LAKE CONROE HILLS DR.

LONE STAR PKWY.

830

LEAGUE LINE RD.

LAKE CONROE

1484

2432

105

2854

10TH ST.

1 Hwy. 105 widening Project: The project will reconstruct and widen Hwy. 105 from two to four lanes between South Loop 336 in Conroe to FM 1484. Update: TxDOT reported the project is 31% completed as of a Nov. 1 update, the latest available. • Timeline: February 2023-third quarter 2026 • Cost: $89.72 million • Funding source: TxDOT

1485

KEENAN CUT OFF RD.

Conroe

336

3083

FISH CREEK THOROUGHFARE

1486

MOSTYN DR.

149

249 TOLL

1314

1488

242

1774

WEST FORK SAN JACINTO RIVER

DAVID MEMORIAL DR.

Ongoing projects

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

2 Overlaying FM 1486 Project: The project will include overlay and base repair work on FM 1486 from Hwy. 105 to FM 1774 in the Montgomery area. Update: The project began in October and is 1% completed as of Nov. 1. • Timeline: October 2023-third quarter 2024 • Cost: $4.57 million • Funding source: TxDOT 3 Hwy. 105 reconstruction Project: The project will reconstruct and widen Hwy. 105 from two to four lanes between 10th Street in Conroe and South Loop 336. Update: TxDOT reported the project is 12% completed

5 FM 1097 widening Project: The project will widen FM 1097 in Willis from two to four lanes with a continuous left turn lane between Lake Conroe Hills Drive and Blueberry Hills Road. Update: TxDOT reported the project is 30% completed as of a Nov. 1 update, the latest available. • Timeline: second quarter 2022-first quarter 2024 • Cost: $16.09 million • Funding sources: TxDOT, federal 6 FM 2854 repair Project: The project includes overlaying FM 2854 and adding turn lanes between Hwy. 105 and the San Jacinto River. Update: TxDOT reported the project is 79% completed

8 Hwy. 242 widening Project: TxDOT will use existing right of way on Hwy. 242 between FM 1488 and I-45 to widen lanes and restripe the intersections. Update: As of early November the first phase of the project, installing right turn lanes, had begun, according to TxDOT. • Timeline: November-first quarter 2026 • Cost: $28.67 million • Funding sources: federal, state funds 9 David Memorial Drive extension Project: A project to extend David Memorial Drive to Hwy. 242 began in September under the terms of an interlocal agreement between the city of Shenandoah and Montgomery County. Update: The portion within Conroe city limits will be completed when funding is secured. • Timeline: September 2023-July 2024 • Cost: $7.8 million • Funding sources: city of Shenandoah, city of Conroe, Montgomery County

as of a Nov. 1 update, the latest available. • Timeline: March 2023-third quarter 2027 • Cost: $51.83 million • Funding source: TxDOT 4 I-45 frontage road

as of a Nov. 1 update, the latest available. • Timeline: January 2023-first quarter 2024 • Cost: $10.41 million • Funding sources: TxDOT, federal 7 FM 1488 median addition

Project: The project is adding a new three-lane northbound frontage road between FM 830 and FM 1097 in Willis along I-45. Update: TxDOT reported the project is wrapping up and was 98% completed as of a Nov. 1 update. • Timeline: September 2022-tentative fourth quarter 2023 • Cost: $7.48 million • Funding sources: TxDOT, federal

Project: The project will add a raised median along FM 1488 between Mostyn Drive in Magnolia and I-45 in Conroe. Update: TxDOT reported the project is underway and 22% completed as of a Nov. 1 update, the latest available. • Timeline: summer 2023-tentative fourth quarter 2025 • Cost: $10.22 million • Funding sources: TxDOT, federal

CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

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