Two-minute impact
Smith on June 24 presented an update on the potential for over $40 million in CMAQ grants through the Houston-Galveston Area Council to commissioners. The grants are comprised of federal funds which are distributed locally by H-GAC for projects to address congestion and increase overall air quality, according to H-GAC officials.
The additional $40 million identified in potentially federally funded projects include:
- Hardin Store Road reconstruction: $9.5 million
- Dobbin-Huffsmith Road reconstruction: $14.25 million
- Fiber interconnections for traffic signals: $5 million
- Intelligent transportation system: $11.72 million
“We'll be able to know traffic trends on every roadway in the county,” Smith said. “The end goal on that is to be able to put up a map very, very similar to TranStar, so that everybody in Montgomery County can see real-time traffic data on the streets.”
Smith said the projects qualify for CMAQ grants by improving air quality through minimizing wait times at traffic lights and reducing emissions.
What else?
Smith said Montgomery County was the only county to submit requests for the grant funds in 2025. Smith said if the grants for the traffic signal projects are approved, the county would then request interlocal agreements with any cities in the county that pay for their own traffic signals to get permission for installing upgrades to light poles.
A call for projects by the H-GAC for new transportation alternatives will be opening up soon, and Smith said the county will bring in local school districts for potential projects which could improve local connectivity and mobility at schools.
The county is also working on updating and creating mobility studies for each county precinct, which is expected to be assigned a consultant by the H-GAC within six months. However, Smith said county officials could continue to encourage a quicker process with the H-GAC at their regular meetings.
