Speaking to business owners and managers at the Greater Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce luncheon April 26, Mark Keough, the Republican candidate for Montgomery County judge and State Representative for District 15, said he wanted to clarify his commitment to the Hwy. 249 extension, specifically the tolled portion in Montgomery County.

“I am not happy about paying tolls anymore than you are,” Keough said. “But, it looks like at this point it is a moot issue.”

The construction of the Hwy. 249 extension through Harris, Montgomery and Grimes counties is a joint project by the Texas Department of Transportation, Harris County Toll Road Authority and Montgomery County Toll Road Authority. The four-part project is expected to be completed by summer 2020. 

While Keough said he supports the extension of Hwy. 249, he said he has long questioned Montgomery County's plans to pay for it.

“I have never, ever been against Hwy. 249,” he said. “What I have challenged is the method of payment and how that went about.”

Montgomery County commissioners discussed the financing of the county's portion of the roadway during a MCTRA meeting April 10. However, commissioners denied a motion by Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack intended to amend, revise or terminate the county’s existing Hwy. 249 construction, operation and maintenance agreement with TxDOT during a commissioners court meeting April 24.

Keough said Thursday he is committed to working with whoever is elected as Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner, the race for which heads to a runoff election for the Republican nomination May 22. Incumbent Charlie Riley takes on contender Greg Parker in the runoff election. The winner will take on uncontested Democratic candidate Ron Keichline during the Nov. 6 election.

Also in the November election, Keough will face uncontested Democratic candidate Jay Stittleburg. Keough defeated incumbent Craig Doyal in the March primary election. Keough said he will continue to serve through the year as representative for District 15. If elected as county judge this November, he will be sworn into office in January 2019.