Tomball - Magnolia Edition | April 2023

2920

FM 2920’S FUTURE

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BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILROAD

Trac pattern Raised median

Parking

The FM 2920 reconstruction project spans from Business 249 to Willow Street and would reconstruct Tomball’s Main Street from Pine to Sycamore streets. Alternative 2, the city’s preference for the project, is outlined below.

Crosswalks Sidewalks

Trees

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE TREES ALONG MAIN STREET?

The trees that line Main Street will be removed. However, TxDOT will replace them as part of the project. The size of the new trees will be 4-6-inch caliper trees—or 22-30 feet tall. The species is still to be determined.

Q&A’s

HOW MUCH WILL THIS PROJECT COST? This project will cost $28.61 million in total, with $22.89 million coming from federal funds and the state providing $5.72 million. The city will be responsible for design, utilities and 10% of right-of-way acquisition.

WILL THE TRAFFIC PATTERN STAY THE SAME? Yes and no. The trac pattern on FM 2920 will stay the same while Oak and Walnut streets will become one-way streets.

SOURCE: CITY OF TOMBALL COMMUNITY IMPACT

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

WHEN WILL CONSTRUCTION BEGIN?

2920

Construction is not anticipated to begin until 2025 or 2026.

2920 reconstruction project was rst identied as a need through the Hous- ton-Galveston Area Council’s access management study from 2007-08 and Livable Centers Study in 2009, Commu- nity Impact previously reported. The goal of this project is better mobility and crash reduction. With the project spanning from Busi- ness 249 to Willow Street, the Alterna- tive 2 design applies to the downtown Tomball portion—from Pine to Syc- amore streets. In addition to mini- mizing medians, this plan includes updating the sidewalks, replacing the trees lining Main Street, and updating crosswalks at Pine, Cherry, Elm and Sycamore streets. “That’s what, in my opinion, the denition of Tomball needs to be, is like a mini Fredericksburg of Harris

medians at Sycamore, Walnut, Elm and Oak streets. Out of 101 submitted public com- ment cards and online surveys, 39 people—which was the most out of any option—expressed their support for Alternative 2. Scott Moore, owner of Tejas Choco- late & Barbecue on Elm Street and Tejas Burger Joint on Main Street, said he voted in favor of the design. “FM 2920 is congested, and in the Old Town district in particular, side- walks are in disrepair,” Moore said. “We need to make it safer for trac and pedestrians. This plan will help do that.” Moore said he believes the new design will make the area more acces- sible and safer for everyone. “People insist on taking a left turn

County that attracts [people] from all over Texas,” Mayor Lori Klein Quinn said. “Our shop owners have really good ideas on things that will attract [people], and that’s what I hope this area will [do].” The road to a plan In March 2022, Tomball and TxDOT ocials held the rst public meeting on the FM 2920 reconstruction proj- ect and were met with overwhelming opposition toward the proposed raised medians, Community Impact previ- ously reported. Following that meeting, two alterna- tives to the original plan were shared during a second public meeting in December. Alternative 2 features a raised median near the railroad cross- ing, while Alternative 3 featured raised

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one-way roads, according to the pre- liminary design. Tomball City Manager David Esquivel said next steps for City Council include conveying the design change to the Texas Department of Transportation to begin putting con- tracts together to advance the project, which is anticipated to cost around $28.61 million. “The chamber believes that this could be one of the last times that [downtown] Tomball is given a chance to be enhanced and renovated,” said Bruce Hillegeist, president of the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s going to be a new facelift for Old Town.” Spearheaded by TxDOT, the FM

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