Preview: Montgomery County commissioners to discuss Hwy. 242 flyovers, Blackfin Pipeline

Montgomery County Commissioners Court on June 4 will discuss approving $20 million in funding for the long-awaited third direct connector from I-45 to Hwy. 242 as well as easements for the proposed Blackfin Pipeline.

What you need to know

The proposed third direct connector would connect the northbound lanes of I-45 to the eastbound lanes of Hwy. 242 in The Woodlands. According to a letter from the Texas Department of Transportation dated May 28, TxDOT is asking the county to authorize its share of funding for the project, which will be roughly $20.1 million, before the project is put out for bid in early August.

"We request that [the county] expedite the payment," the letter read. "TxDOT will be unable to award a construction contract to the low bidder for the project if we do not have the county's financial participation."

Also on the agenda

Commissioners are also set to approve a right of way and easement agreement with Blackfin Pipeline following the resolution of a legal battle over use of property within the Lake Creek Preserve.

Blackfin Pipeline is a 193-mile pipeline that is designed to transport up to 3.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day from Colorado County to Jasper County and begin construction in mid-2024, according to prior Community Impact reporting.

Commissioners Court will be held on the fourth floor of the Alan B. Sadler building at 501 N. Thompson St. in Conroe on June 4. A livestream of the meeting will also be available on the county website.