The FM 2978 corridor is expected to receive some long-anticipated mobility improvements in late 2015 or early 2016.

With the approval of Proposition 1 on the Nov. 4 ballot, the Houston-Galveston Area Council received $278.7 million to help fund 14 Greater Houston area roadway improvement projects, including the widening of FM 2978 in Montgomery County.

"Growth in the Greater Tomball-Magnolia-The Woodlands area is producing significant congestion, and additional Prop. 1 funds will ensure there is no gap in the widening of the

FM 2978 corridor from two to four lanes," H-GAC Program Manager David Wurdlow said.

The two-lane FM 2978 widening project from Conroe-Huffsmith Road to Dry Creek will be constructed with $4.4 million in Prop. 1 funds, Wurdlow said. Directly north of the Prop. 1-funded project, the H-GAC Transportation Policy Council identified $12.5 million in 2013 for another FM 2978 two-lane widening project from FM 1488 to south of Dry Creek, he said.

The northern segment will not be funded through Prop 1. The project will instead receive 80 percent of its funding through the federal Surface Transportation Program funds, and the Texas Department of Transportation will provide a 20 percent funding match, Wurdlow said.

TxDOT Public Information Officer Danny Perez said both FM 2978 projects are scheduled to go out for bid this fall pending environmental approval. Construction could begin on the two segments shortly afterward in winter 2015 or early 2016, he said.

For the full story on the FM 2978 corridor improvements, read the next edition of Community Impact Newspaper delivered to homes and businesses in the Tomball and Magnolia area on April 2.