The city of Montgomery and Texas Department of Transportation have partnered to construct right and left turn lanes. According to a March 14 update from TxDOT, the project began in the third quarter of 2018.
But Assistant City Manager Dave McCorquodale said the project started with installation of new signal poles and stop signs before the project came to a halt in 2019.
"There was some back and forth between TxDOT and the city of Montgomery to make sure the title was clear in order to donate the property at the time," he said in a phone interview. "The project was delayed for approximately a year while the city cleared an access easement on the property."
In November 2021, before construction could begin, he said the project ran into another issue.
"Entergy had to move and relocate a power line," he said. "TxDOT couldn't begin construction until that power line was moved. So it seems like construction just began last weekend, but the project has been in the works since 2018."
According to TxDOT, the $272,613 project is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2023. McCorquodale said the last update the city received from the department included a projected timeline of pavement to be complete by the end of March.
"We appreciate TxDOT helping us on this," he said. "The turn lane is going to help alleviate the long lines at the traffic light for the people traveling north on FM 149 going east on Hwy. 105. Overall, it will help alleviate the congestion that's been at that intersection in the past."
