What you need to know
Following discussion over identifying a funding source for the construction of a third direct connector from I-45 north to the eastbound lanes of Hwy. 242, commissioners finally approved a number of budget amendments to fund the project’s construction.
The $19.1 million in funding was pulled from seven accounts, including American Rescue Plan Act funds and leftover disaster funds from the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
The funding
- $5.88 million from old bond funds
- $7.5 million from pass through toll funds
- $2.3 million from interest accounts
- $1 million from commissioner road and bridge funds
- $1 million from MCOHSEM unused disaster funds
- $506,293 in ARPA revenue replacement funds
- $956,243.32 from contingency funds
According to previous Community Impact reporting, the cost to build the third direct connector was estimated at $14.9 million in 2022. However, a May 28 letter from the Texas Department of Transportation showed the cost to build the direct connector in 2024 has risen to $19.1 million.
In the same letter, TxDOT officials told the county the project was scheduled to begin bidding in August, but it would be taken off the 2024 letting schedule if the funding was not allocated by the county before Aug. 2.
What’s next?
Budget Director Amanda Carter said she would reach out to TxDOT to see if the state will accept a wire transfer or check from the county. TxDOT has the project construction slated to begin the bid process in early August and construction by the end of the year.
