Here are 4 things to know this week if you live in The Woodlands area.
1. The San Jacinto River Authority last week approved a 14-cent increase in its water fees for residents who receive water under its Groundwater Reduction Plan, including residents of The Woodlands. Residents will pay an SJRA fee of $2.83 per 1,000 gallons of surface water from Lake Conroe and $2.64 per 1,000 gallons of groundwater. The SJRA attributes the majority of the fee increase to the cost of litigation between the agency and the cities of Conroe and Magnolia, both of which voted not to pay for the SJRA’s 18-cent fee increase in 2016.
2. Monday marks the last day of the 85th Texas Legislative session, barring any special sessions called by Gov. Greg Abbott. Two bills related to The Woodlands’ incorporation-planning process—which would grant procedures and guidelines for the township to use when and if the decision to incorporate into a city takes place—are in the final stages of the legislative process. Senate Bill 1015 is heading directly to Abbott’s desk for approval, and SB 1014 requires one more passage in the Senate because a technical correction was made in the House, according to state Rep. Mark Keough’s office.
3. The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and several law enforcement agencies across the county are cracking down on driving while intoxicated cases this summer. In addition to a no refusal grant from the Texas Department of Transportation, the county is partnering with Uber by offering a discount for first-time riders to encourage individuals not to drink and drive. For more details,
click here.
4. Construction on the Rayford Road widening project is
officially underway on the east side of I-45 in Spring. The Montgomery County Precinct 3 project will widen the road from four lanes with a center turn lane to six lanes with no center turn lane between Lazy Lane and the Grand Parkway. A six-lane bridge will also be constructed over the Union Pacific Corp. railroad tracks, new traffic signals will be installed, and a raised median will be added to enhance the safety of left-turning motorists. The project is expected to be complete by late summer 2019.