From the cover
$120M in road projects coming to New Caney, Porter
BY JESSICA SHORTEN
The big picture
242
2090
S. TRAM RD.
PICKERING RD.
9
PLUM GROVE RD.
1485
HILL AND DALE AVE.
Approximately 52.8% of Montgomery County voters approved a $480 million road bond at the ballot box May 3, allowing work on $120 million in road projects for East Montgomery County to begin by the end of 2025. New Caney- and Porter-area projects include engineering work and construction for road widenings, bridge replacements, and intersection improvements. Among the projects include the widening of Ford and Sorters roads from two to four lanes. While these projects were originally included in the county’s last bond approved by voters in 2015, county officials said work on the two roadways never officially started before 2015 bond funds were exhausted on other projects. “It was paramount to make sure that [Ford and Sorters roads] were part of this package because of the social contract made with the public when the first bond was passed. The fact that they weren’t completed within that window was unfortunate,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray said. Ford Road and Sorters Road are both shovel- ready projects, Gray said, meaning they will be the first Precinct 4 projects completed with 2025 bond funds.
4
2
59
8
1
7
1314
99
Bridge replacements 1 Gene Campbell Road: cost TBD 2 Pickering Road: cost TBD Construction to widen 3 Ford Road: $25M 4 Old Houston Road: cost TBD 5 Sorters Road: $14M-$20M Engineering to widen*
99
OLD SORTERS RD.
3
5
6
BRIAR BERRY LN.
494
6 Briar Berry Lane: cost TBD 7 Galaxy Boulevard: cost TBD 8 Gene Campbell Road: cost TBD Intersection improvements 9 Hill and Dale Avenue at Tram Road: cost TBD
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*ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORK ONLY
NOTE: ONLY PRECINCT 4 BOND PROJECTS IN AND AROUND THE NEW CANEY AND PORTER AREAS ARE MAPPED. SOURCES: MONTGOMERY COUNTY, LJA ENGINEERING/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Why it matters
Next steps
For residents and business owners in the area, the bond signals a chance to address traffic issues that have only worsened over the last decade, community leaders said. According to election results, 63% of East Montgomery County residents were in favor of the bond’s passage compared to 52.8% countywide. “This passage will help the county catch up and work to prepare for the incredible growth here,” said Mark Linabury, CEO and president of the Greater East Montgomery County Chamber. “I believe voters realized the need to be proactive regarding roads and mobility, and the [election] results reflected that.” The bond will also help address issues on Gene Campbell Road, where the East Montgomery County Industrial Park is located. East Montgom- ery County Improvement District officials said growth of surrounding businesses in recent years has turned the two-lane road into a commercial thoroughfare for the community. “More businesses have come, and now residential [lots] and a school have made their
Sorters Road at FM 1314 Ford Road at Hwy. 59 Annual average daily traffic
On May 13, BOK Financials Managing Partner John Robuck—the county’s bond counsel—said the first $120 million in bond funds will be available by the end of July with no tax rate impact expected on property owners. Commissioners are also considering a special resolution that would allow the county to begin work on certain projects before the funds are officially available. “It is of the utmost importance to close out the old precinct business and to make those road improvements that were promised to East Montgomery County a decade ago,” Gray said. “Our goal is to get as many projects shovel-ready as possible to help deal with and manage the growth that we’re experiencing.”
20K
15K
+9.72%
10K
5K
+26.52%
0
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
homes along [Gene Campbell Road] in the last few years,” said Kelley Mattlage, vice president and chief communications officer for EMCID. “Although funds are going to design at this point, the future construction to widen Gene Campbell will help alleviate some of the traffic congestion.”
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NEW CANEY - PORTER EDITION
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