The current situation
Leo Flores, a public information officer with the Texas Department of Transportation, said he believes these three projects—estimated to wrap up between 2025 and 2027—are needed to improve safety and mobility in the area. However, local business owners said construction and traffic issues are affecting their businesses.
“Hopefully [the raised median project] has been beneficial for traffic and accidents,” said Trisha Plagens, a Magnolia resident and owner of Cactus Flower Boutique. “But it has definitely been very impactful on my business, probably the most impactful since 2020.”
While businesses are facing challenges, Magnolia Mayor Matthew Dantzer said he believes the projects will be of benefit in the future.
“It’s a much-needed pain, unfortunately, for us to go through currently, and I’m sure it has affected some small businesses just because of the lack of ease of getting in and out,” Dantzer said. “However, once it’s done, that ease is going to be relieved, and we’re going to have more traffic going through, which will bring more patrons to small businesses.”
Meanwhile, the Magnolia area is growing and developing. Between 2018 and 2023, Magnolia’s population rose 46.35% while the population in the ZIP codes of 77354 and 77355 increased by 10.42% and 13%, respectively, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
As the population has grown, so too has the number of businesses. According to a Community Impact analysis, since 2022, over 80 businesses have opened along FM 1488 between Abney Lane and Hwy. 242, including H-E-B, Starbucks and Lowe’s—the latter of which is opening May 9.
Laurie Clifton, president of the Southwest Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, said the corridor continues to attract businesses due to the area’s population growth and long-term infrastructure upgrades.
“While some acknowledge the construction as a challenge, many see it as a strategic investment in future traffic flow and commercial viability,” Clifton said in a statement.
Clifton said many businesses have expressed customer navigation issues due to the raised medians and turn restrictions, dips in sales and foot traffic, and concerns about roadwork timelines.
Dana Frazier, owner of Six Shooter Junction Boutique, said the FM 1488 widening has hurt her business.
“People complain all the time that they can’t get to the store because the traffic is so horrible,” Frazier said. “Which [TxDOT] has made some great progress as far as doing the best they can and getting some of it done. It’s just taken so very long; it hasn’t been a quick project.”
Plagens said she believes people are scared of the U-turns caused by the raised medians.
“And if they have to U-turn, they’re not going to do it. They’re just going to avoid that business,” Plagens said.
Quotes of note
- “It hasn’t really hurt my business yet. I think the traffic is coming, and once the traffic comes in the next year or two, it could have some impact.” —Mike Kelton, owner, Treehouse Cafe
- “All these projects are essential to improving safety and mobility in response to increased traffic volumes in the area.” —Leo Flores, public information officer, Texas Department of Transportation
Both FM 1488 widenings are on schedule, Flores said. Final striping for the widening between the Waller County line and FM 1774 was scheduled to begin the week of April 14, with the whole project set to be completed in the third quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, the raised median project is approximately 70% complete, Flores said. Contractors are working on constructing curbs and medians. That project will be completed by the second quarter of 2026, according to a March 10 media update from TxDOT.
Dantzer said the city is also working in partnership with county contractors and staff to identify roads that are in need of repair, with $3.5 million budgeted to repair those roads.
