An access management study of the FM 1488 corridor between I-45 and FM 149 in Magnolia is anticipated to be complete in December, according to information from the Texas Department of Transportation.


TxDOT held a second public meeting Oct. 24 in The Woodlands to gather public input on proposed improvements outlined in the access management study, which aims to identify improvements for reducing crashes, improving mobility, and supporting existing and future development throughout the 14-mile stretch of FM 1488, according to TxDOT information.

Community members can weigh in on proposed improvements to the corridor by taking an online survey. The deadline to take the survey is Friday, Nov. 8. The survey asks residents to rate potential improvements, such as installing a raised median, adding bike accommodations and installing traffic signals; to evaluate corridor issues; and to map locations in need of improvements.

The second public meeting follows an initial meeting that was held in May to solicit public input. The high number of crashes paired with upcoming development along the FM 1488 corridor prompted TxDOT to begin an access management study this January, Public Information Officer Emily Black previously said.

An access management study looks at how to reduce crashes and improve mobility by limiting conflict points and planning how vehicles move through a corridor, according to TxDOT information.

TxDOT crash data shows 326 vehicle crashes occurred between FM 149 and I-45 in 2018, having doubled from 2010, Community Impact Newspaper previously reported.


According to exhibits presented at the Oct. 24 meeting, proposed corridor improvements include installing raised medians, retiming and coordinating traffic signals, improving intersection turn lanes, providing accommodations for bicycles, installing advanced street name signs, and providing pedestrian crossings compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In Magnolia, additional improvements could include a traffic signal warrant analysis to see if a signal is justified and a reconfigured intersection near Manor Drive and FM 1488 as well as a traffic signal analysis at Superior Road, Sendera Drive, Lago Drive and the future Mill Creek intersection, according to meeting information. At the intersection of Hwy. 242 and FM 1488, improvements could include reconfiguring the intersection and adding dual left turn lanes.

Dual turn lanes could also be added at FM 2978, Old Conroe Road, Kuykendahl Road, Carriage Hills Boulevard and I-45, according to meeting information.

Short-range proposed improvements total $19.53 million with medium-range improvements, such as widening FM 1488 to six lanes between I-45 and FM 2978, totaling $7.25 million, and long-range improvements, such as widening FM 1488 to six lanes between FM 2978 and Mill Creek, totaling $53.38 million, according to meeting information.


Get involved

Take an online survey and provide feedback on proposed improvements to the FM 1488 corridor by Friday, Nov. 8. Click here to start the survey.


View information from the Oct. 24 meeting.