1. Grand Parkway segments F-1, F-2 and G
Construction of the Grand Parkway is requiring several lane closures and traffic diversions on a number of roads near the project. Three segments—F-1, F-2 and G—of the project are under simultaneous construction and will total 37 miles of Houston’s third outer loop. The segments stretch from Hwy. 290 to Hwy. 59 and feature major overpasses and interchanges at Hwy. 290 in Cypress, Hwy. 249 in Tomball and I-45. There are no Tomball area road closures planned for July as of press time. For up-to-date information on construction progress, visit
www.grandparkway99.com.

Timeline: July 2013-December 2015
Cost: $1 billion
Funding sources: Texas Department of Transportation

2. Honea Egypt Road widening
The project is designed to widen Honea Egypt Road from two to four lanes with an additional continuous center-turn lane from the intersection of FM 2978 to FM 1488 to the intersection of Ranch Lake and Sendera Ranch drives. The project was delayed due to construction of the San Jacinto River Authority water lines.

Timeline: early July-December
Cost: $3.8 million
Funding sources: Westwood Magnolia Parkway Improvement District, Montgomery County

3. FM 1488 overpass at FM 149
Louisiana-based contractor James Construction Group began work in March on the project. The overpass will feature two sets of cloverleaf access ramps, including one on either side of FM 1488 near Magnolia High School and another across the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad at FM 149 near Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. The road will be widened from one lane in each direction to four lanes total with a 16-foot turn lane in the median along FM 1488 from the Mostyn Manor subdivision to Mill Creek Road.

Timeline: March 2015-December 2016
Cost: $27.6 million
Funding sources: TxDOT

4. Hufsmith-Kohrville Road Segment 1 widening
Contractor Menade Inc. began construction Feb. 16 to widen Hufsmith-Kohrville Road from a two-lane asphalt roadway to a four-lane concrete boulevard section in Tomball. Segment 1 spans from just south of Spring Cypress Road north to Hollow Glen Lane.

Timeline: Feb. 16, 2015-Feb. 15, 2016
Cost: $6.5 million
Funding sources: Harris County Precinct 4

5. FM 149 improvements
The project is designed with various turn lanes on FM 149 from its intersection with Spur 149 to north of FM 1488. The three-location project includes pavement widening and marking as well as the relocation of an existing traffic signal at FM 149 and FM 1488.

Timeline: late 2014-summer 2015
Cost: $3.7 million
Funding sources: TxDOT

7. FM 1774 overpass at FM 1488
The project to create an overpass above FM 1488 to connect FM 1774 over the railroad tracks and widen the road to four lanes total is in the design stage. The plan specifications and engineering process is 85 percent complete. There is no estimated date to send the project out for bid. A $5 million funding request for the overpass was included in a list of 77 roadway projects to be financed through the May 9 mobility bond in Montgomery County, which was turned down by voters. It is unknown if the project will be added to a future county bond.

Timeline: April 2016 (design phase completion date)-TBA
Cost: $17 million
Funding sources: TxDOT

8. Traffic advisory: Melton Street and Buddy Riley Boulevard intersection
The city implemented a no right-turn ordinance in early May from Melton Street to Buddy Riley Boulevard in an effort to alleviate traffic buildup at the FM 1774 railroad tracks and increase safety. Violators are being issued citations.

At the July 14 meeting, Magnolia City Council plans to discuss possibly establishing a time frame indicated on the traffic sign to allow drivers to make the right turn during nonpeak traffic hours.