The Texas Department of Transportation hosted a public hearing Feb. 21 at La Luna Ballroom in East Conroe to discuss the proposed Hwy. 105 improvement project, which would reconstruct and widen Hwy. 105 between 10th Street in Conroe to just west of Cleveland.

The project proposal includes widening the two-lane, undivided road to a four lanes with a continuous two-way turn lane, as well as adding five-foot sidewalks to both sides of the roadway. The $175 million project could improve safety and mobility along the heavily-trafficked roadway, according to TxDOT officials.

Pct. 4 Commissioner James Metts spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting about the high number of vehicle-related injuries and fatalities that have occurred on the two-lane roadway.

“I served as justice of the peace in 2003 until Dec. 31 of this past year, and I investigated most, if not all, of the fatality accidents here on [Hwy.]105,” Metts said. “Anything that can be done to lessen the fatality accidents and the burden and pain that causes upon the people here … I’d appreciate it."

The roughly 20-mile project will span three counties—Montgomery, San Jacinto and Liberty counties. Moreover, the project will be split into two segments, with the first segment targeting the road between 10th Street and Loop 336 scheduled to begin in 2021; the second segment will target the roadway between Loop 336 and Lee Turner Road near Cleveland.

East Conroe resident Jerry Blanton, who attended the meeting as a representative for the Crockett Trace Homeowners Association, said residents in East Montgomery County often feel their area is overlooked for mobility and improvement projects. He suggested TxDOT rearrange the project's phases and instead begin work on the eastern portion of the project and move west toward Loop 336.

“We need help now,” Blanton said. “I’ve been out here seven years, and the traffic has probably tripled going in and out of [Conroe].”

According to TxDOT, the agency will now finalize the environmental assessment and make a decision on the project, begin the process of acquiring approximately 45 acres of right-of-way to build the road, then complete its final design and start construction. Click here to view project information and summaries of other public events.

The public is invited to submit feedback and comments about the project proposal until March 8. Comments can be submitted to TxDOT via email to [email protected] or via mail to the following address:

TxDOT Houston District
Director of Project Development
P.O. Box 1386
Houston, Texas 77251.