1. Gosling Road bridge project
A dual bridge will be constructed on Gosling Road over Spring Creek. The project is a future joint participation effort between Harris County Precinct 4, Montgomery County Precinct 3 and the Texas Department of Transportation. Discussions between Harris and Montgomery counties for project initiation are in progress, said Pamela Rocchi, director of Harris County Precinct 4’s Capital Improvement Projects Division.
Timeline: TBA
Cost: $7 million
Funding sources: Harris County Precinct 4, Montgomery County Precinct 3, TxDOT
2. Kuykendahl Road bridge project
Similar to the Gosling Road bridge project, a dual bridge will likewise be built on Kuykendahl Road over Spring Creek in an effort to mitigate traffic congestion between Montgomery and Harris counties. The right of way clearing activity has been completed on both sides of Spring Creek, and bridge bents have been installed. The bridge beams have been set, and the contractor is installing the bridge deck. The contract completion date for the project is May 17 and progress is on schedule.
Timeline: October 2016-May 17, 2017
Cost: $6 million
Funding sources: The Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1, Montgomery County Precinct 3, Harris County Precinct 4
3. Birnham Woods Drive improvements
This Montgomery County Precinct 3 project will be built in two phases. Phase 1, which should be complete by March 6, will widen Birnham Woods Drive from two to four lanes between Fuller Bluff Drive and the Grand Parkway. Phase 2 will continue the widening process of Birnham Woods Drive between the Grand Parkway and Waterbend Cove, creating a four-lane road with a center-turn lane. A traffic signal will also be installed at the intersection of Birnham Woods Drive and Waterbend Cove.
Timeline: February-March (Phase 1), early summer-August (Phase 2)
Cost: $1.2 million
Funding sources: Montgomery County Precinct 3
Rayford Road widening[/caption]4. Rayford Road widening
This Montgomery County Precinct 3 road bond project will widen Rayford Road from four to six lanes between Lazy Lane and the Grand Parkway. In addition, a six-lane bridge will be built over the Union Pacific Corp. railroad tracks, new traffic signals and street signage will be installed, and a raised median will be added to enhance the safety of left-turning motorists. A preconstruction meeting was held in early March, said Matt Beasley, Montgomery County Precinct 3 chief of staff.
Timeline: early 2017-late 2019
Cost: $60 million
Funding sources: Montgomery County Precinct 3
How are state speed limits determined?[/caption]How are state speed limits determined?
Whenever a new road is built in Texas, the entity constructing the roadway is required to reach out to the Texas Transportation Commission to determine the speed limit for the new road, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
Factors that determine a road’s speed limit include the road’s length and location, transitions from other speed limits, directional differences, trial runs of the roadway and the location of regulatory speed limit signs along the road, according to TxDOT.
Local governments hold some control over determining speed limits as well. Cities, counties and other government officials work with TxDOT to conduct traffic and engineering studies and pass city speed ordinances, TxDOT Public Information Officer Deidrea George said.
State Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin, recently filed House Bill 1368 to lower the prima facie speed limits on urban district roads in Texas from 30 mph to 25 mph. The prima facie speed limit is the unspoken speed limit on roads with no posted limit.
