Shenandoah City Council voted at its Feb. 14 meeting to approve the purchase of over $400,000 in right-of-way acquisitions to expand the I-45 and Research Forest Drive intersection.

Two-minute impact

The right-of-way acquisition follows the submission of plans to the Texas Department of Transportation for an expansion to the I-45 and Research Forest/Tamina Road intersection in Shenandoah.

The agreement purchases right of way from The Home Depot and King Fuel located on Tamina Road.

• The Home Depot: $199,559
• King Fuel: $201,000

Originally, city officials budgeted $140,000 for right-of-way acquisition. However, the cost of funding increased due to agreement changes and the need for utility line relocations in the right of way.

Quote of note

“I know that the plans for the intersection improvement are still being reviewed by TxDOT, but it's good to get all of these ... precursors you want to get out of the way. So when it's time to put a road down, you're ready to go,” Shenandoah Public Works Director Joseph Peart said.

What’s next

Montgomery County will oversee construction of the intersection widening at Research Forest Drive and Tamina Road. While the city paid for the right-of-way acquisition, the city does expect to receive reimbursement from the county for the purchase, according to information shared at the meeting.