Two mobility projects from the Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner's office are being designed to improve traffic flow around the Hwy. 249 area.

The first project involves widening Hufsmith-Kohrville Road between Spring Cypress Road and Hollow Glen Lane from two asphalt lanes to four concrete lanes. Harris County Precinct 4 officials identified the project to create another viable north-south route for commuters in the Spring and Tomball area.

"The widening of roads like Hufsmith-Kohrville is especially beneficial when traffic projections show more and more people traveling along these routes," said Mark Seegers, communications director with Harris County Precinct 4.

The second project realigns Boudreaux Road as a four-lane concrete boulevard extending east to west across Hwy. 249. A traffic signal will also be put in at the new Hwy. 249 and Boudreaux Road intersection. In addition to making Boudreaux Road more accessible to commuters, the realignment is meant to create a more direct route.

"It's not going to take anyone out of their way," Seegers said. "We're just going to be softening the curve."

The realignment of Boudreaux Road was planned based on traffic studies the county conducted that indicated a more direct route could improve traffic flow. It is expected to minimize traffic delays for commuters using the exit to get to neighborhoods, including Jondot Village and Tomball Memorial High School. It will also provide a more direct route between Hwy. 249 to Telge Road.

Both projects, which are in the design and engineering phase, are expected to be ready for construction companies to bid on this fall. They are being developed as the Harris County Toll Road Authority begins construction on the Hwy. 249 toll road.

HCTRA is in the final design phase of segment one of the toll road, which runs from Spring Cypress Road to FM 2920. It will not affect the existing roads, which will remain as frontage roads. Construction is expected to begin this fall, according to HCTRA officials. Jack Cagle, commissioner of Harris County Precinct 4, said his office has been coordinating with HCTRA and the Texas Department of Transportation to make sure projects do not interfere with each other and to minimize inconvenience to drivers.

"Both the Hufsmith-Kohrville and Boudreaux projects are the result of years of planning by our Precinct 4 Capital Improvement Projects Division," Cagle said. "Working to manage our limited resources, I believe our staff does an outstanding job of identifying the projects which will have the greatest impact on mobility and development. We will continue to plan for the future with an eye on fiscally conservative spending and maximization of transportation dollars."