A potential memorandum of understanding between Harris and Montgomery counties regarding the Hwy. 249 project was put on hold for two weeks Dec. 4, giving commissioners more time to review the possible funding mechanism.

The memorandum of understanding would help move the project that spans both counties forward at a faster rate with an investment from Harris County, but it would also return the county's money with interest shortly after Montgomery County receives its bond money.

"This is not the final agreement in this manner, but it sets the footprint," Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle said. "It doesn't do us any good to build a road to a border that doesn't have something on the other side to match it."

Phase 1 of the project involves the portion of the roadway in Harris County from Spring Cypress Road to FM 2920 in Tomball, while Phase 2 would extend from FM 2920 to FM 1774 in Magnolia.

"The purpose of the funds is not so much that those other counties can't afford it, but it just takes them a longer time to raise those funds," Cagle said. "Because of our size we have those available and can expedite the process."