The background
A section of Hwy. 249, which passes through Montgomery County, was officially designated as the Lt. Col. Paul P. Mendes Memorial Parkway by the Texas Legislature, according to an Oct. 24 news release.
Hwy. 249 includes 15.5 miles from the southern edge of Montgomery County on the west side to the northern county line. At the Oct. 23 dedication ceremony, Charlie Riley, Montgomery County Precinct 2 commissioner, said Mendes was a driving force in making that 15.5-mile stretch happen.
“The road will be here to serve the community and the travelers who accept the open connection just like Paul's office door, which was always open to anyone who needed help,” Riley said at the ceremony.
According to the release, Gov. Greg Abbott made the memorial designation effective Sept. 1.
In their own words
- “Paul Mendes knew the importance of that tollway and how it's connected to the two tollways and the wonderful benefits that it would bring to this community for addressing traffic congestion, mobility and things of that nature,” Operations Manager Robert Castaneda said at the dedication ceremony.
- “Paul Mendes was a devoted family man, a decorated officer and a leader dedicated to his community. The parkway tribute is a fitting compliment to a truly worthy individual,” Riley said in the release.
