Debbie Pilcher, communications manager for the city of Shenandoah, said the city expects to award a bid in late June or July.
“So construction won't actually start until probably August, but until we see how the bid process goes that is just an estimate on our part,” she said in an email. “You never know until bids come in or don't come in and have to be relet, before you can actually get a more definite calendar.”
According to previous Community Impact coverage, the extension broke ground in December with clearing and grubbing of the site completed in February.
The roughly mile-long project will extend David Memorial Drive north to Hwy. 242, crossing Shenandoah, Conroe and Montgomery County. The $9.1 million project is split among the three entities with Montgomery County contributing $5 million to the expansion, Conroe contributing $2.1 million and Shenandoah contributing $2 million, according to a previous report.
Shenandoah Public Works Director Joseph Peart said this is the end point of many previous discussions.
“Since we are spearheading this project, funds will be coming to us to finish the project,” he said during the meeting. “All parties felt it was appropriate to come to our City Council first for approval, and then that will be relayed to Commissioners Court as well as the city of Conroe council for approval of the agreement.”
The city of Shenandoah will manage the funds and the finalization of the project, Peart said.
Council Member Ted Fletcher said the extension will help free up the I-45 feeder road.
“I know that this has been a project for many years, but I think it is the perfect example of what building relationships outside of our city actually does,” Fletcher said. “If we didn't have those relationships with the Commissioners Court or Conroe, ... this project would still be on the books somewhere trying to find sources to make it happen. I am ecstatic about this, and I know the rest of the community is, too.”
