With one project The Woodlands Development Company tried to include on the 2013-16 Transportation Improvement Plan having been scrapped, another is experiencing resistance.

The Shenandoah City Council is opposing a plan to build an overpass on Research Forest Drive over Grogan's Mill Road, a project the Development Company has said would alleviate traffic congestion along Research Forest Drive.

However, the Shenandoah City Council cited a lack of communication with The Woodlands on the project's development and concern by its residents that it will have a negative impact on quality of life.

"I want our relationship with The Woodlands to be good," said councilman Darrell Frazier. "I want the communication to be open, and I appreciate the information they did give us, but I still feel there needs to be more studies done."

In April of last year, the Development Company submitted a plan for two projects to be listed on the 2013-2016 TIP, a plan that also included a direct connect flyover at Research Forest Drive and I-45 into Shenandoah. But that project was abandoned after the cities of Shenandoah and Oak Ridge North refused to support it.

Mobility projects needing federal funding often need support from the affected entities, said Precinct 3 County Commissioner James Noack.

"Having opposition on a project is always a red flag," Noack said.

Mobility projects are placed on the TIP, which assigns federal, state and local funding, after their readiness is screened and the benefits of the project are determined. The Houston-Galveston Area Council advocate for projects to be included on the TIP. The Transportation Policy Council makes the final decision on whether a project receives federal or state funding. Despite the council's opposition, Noack said he supports the plan for an overpass.

"I plan on going to H-GAC and talking about me being in favor of the project," he said. "Overall I think it is good for the community."

Robert Heineman, vice president of planning for The Woodlands Development Company, said he was unsure what the fate of the plan ultimately would be. He said

the project could still receive funding, and it was still being submitted to H-GAC for inclusion on the TIP.

"The decision [on whether to fund it] is in their court," he said.

An overpass at Research Forest Drive and Grogan's Mill Road could potentially receive funding through Montgomery County or The Woodlands Road Utility District, Noack said, even if it is not approved for federal or state funding.

According to a February 2012 traffic survey conducted by Atkins Engineering and sponsored by The Woodlands Development Company, about 30,000 vehicle trips per day travel through the Research Forest Drive/Grogan's Mill Road intersection. With the impending construction of the Hughes Landing development on the east shore of Lake Woodlands, and other projects such as a Hyatt hotel being constructed nearby, local officials believe traffic along Research Forest will increase.

"Any way you look at it, there's three or four high rise buildings going into that area," said Shenandoah Mayor Wes Stephens. "That intersection is not going to be the same intersection."