The first meeting of the newly established Hwy. 249 Corridor Coalition will take place at Magnolia City Hall Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting will determine what role the coalition will play in the development of Hwy. 249 projects, particularly a direct connection between Houston and Bryan-College Station, as well as who will be on the coalition and how it will operate. A chair and vice chair will also be selected.

According to Bruce Hillegeist, president of the Tomball Chamber of Commerce, it is crucial for all communities affected by the plans for Hwy. 249 to work together to make sure things get done.

"We have decided that the best way to get things really going in the right direction is to come together as communities and lobby for this roadway," he said.

Hillegeist said that the chamber of commerce is the driving force behind this project, but stressed that its success hinges on community involvement.

"This is the prime example of how we can make a difference when no one is worrying about ego or whose territory is what," he said.

An interim board consisting of three people each from Tomball, Magnolia and Navasota will form the base of the coalition. Who makes up the rest of it will be decided based on what happens at this meeting, Hillegeist said.

Magnolia City Hall is located at 18111 Buddy Riley Blvd, Magnolia.