FM 1488 construction continues as local businesses feel effects From the cover
The current situation
5-year estimates. As the population has grown, so too has the number of businesses. According to a Community Impact analysis, since 2022, over 80 businesses have opened along FM 1488 between Abney Lane and Hwy. 242, including H-E-B, Starbucks and Lowe’s—the latter of which is opening May 9. Laurie Clifton, president of the Southwest Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, said the corridor continues to attract businesses due to the area’s population growth and long-term infrastructure upgrades. “While some acknowledge the construction as a challenge, many see it as a strategic investment in future traffic flow and commercial viability,” Clifton said in a statement.
impactful since 2020.” While businesses are facing challenges, Magnolia Mayor Matthew Dantzer said he believes the projects will be of benefit in the future. “It’s a much-needed pain, unfortunately, for us to go through currently, and I’m sure it has affected some small businesses just because of the lack of ease of getting in and out,” Dantzer said. “However, once it’s done, that ease is going to be relieved, and we’re going to have more traffic going through, which will bring more patrons to small businesses.” Meanwhile, the Magnolia area is growing and developing. Between 2018 and 2023, Magnolia’s population rose 46.35% while the population in the ZIP codes of 77354 and 77355 increased by 10.42% and 13%, respectively, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey
FM 1488 has been under construction in Magnolia since 2020. The first widening project for the road began in 2020, while a second widening project began in 2022 and a project to add raised medians to FM 1488 began in 2023. Leo Flores, a public information officer with the Texas Department of Transportation, said he believes these three projects—estimated to wrap up between 2025 and 2027—are needed to improve safety and mobility in the area. However, local business owners said construction and traffic issues are affecting their businesses. “Hopefully [the raised median project] has been beneficial for traffic and accidents,” said Trisha Plagens, a Magnolia resident and owner of Cactus Flower Boutique. “But it has definitely been very impactful on my business, probably the most
FM 1488 development
Business openings
2022
2023 2024 2025 2026
Magnolia
3
KELLY RD.
2
242
249
2978
1
1774
45
COMMERCE ST.
Tomball
DORIS DR.
N
NOTE: THIS MAP IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE.
Average traffic counts at FM 1488 intersections
50K
1 Widening west of Magnolia Project: Widening from two to four lanes with a continuous left-turn lane • Timeline: November 2020-third quarter 2025 • Cost: $35.6M • Funding source: state funds 2 Widening through Magnolia Project: Widening from two to four lanes with a continuous left-turn lane • Timeline: June 2022-second quarter 2027 • Cost: $49M • Funding source: state funds 3 Raised medians project Project: Constructing raised medians • Timeline: first quarter 2023-second quarter 2026 • Cost: $11.2M • Funding sources: federal, state funds
Percentage increase between 2019-23
40K
West of FM 2978 +17.2%
30K
West of Spur 149 +45.5%
20K
East of Kelly Road +18.1%
West of Commerce Street +18.4%
10K
West of Dorris Road +9.4%
0
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
SOURCES: LOCAL BUSINESSES, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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