South Montgomery County entities name projects for transportation study

Noack suggested several areas of study across the precinct, including the inventory and assessment of all Precinct 3 roadways and bridges, the evaluation of current intersections and signal synchronization, and the potential for new roadways, such as a north-south corridor east of I-45 to connect Rayford Road with Hwy. 242 and a west to northbound direct connector from Grand Parkway onto the Hardy Toll Road.

The commissioner also said certain roadways and intersections in need of improvements should be reviewed, including I-45 at Rayford Road and Sawdust Road, Budde Road, Aldine Westfield Road, and the intersection of Robinson Road and Hanna Road.

County Judge Alan Sadler suggested studying the feasibility of toll roads, particularly one connecting Grand Parkway to Hwy. 242, which could expand further north to Hwy. 105.

Sadler said another potential toll road could stretch northwest into Montgomery, and he believes toll roads could provide funding for transportation projects that will be difficult to obtain from future bond referendums, tax increases and through the Texas Department of Transportation.

"This is about money," Sadler said. "We had a $300 million road bond issue [in 2011] which failed because of a tax increase and I'm not sure that's going to change any time soon."

Other officials also expressed interest in specific projects.

The Woodlands Township Director Mike Bass said rights of way are already planned for several major thoroughfares in The Woodlands, but he would like to see improved access to the Grand Parkway from Gosling Road and Kuykendahl Road, as well as improved connectivity to Springwoods Village.

Shenandoah City Administrator Greg Smith said the study needs to address the area of Grogan's Mill Road north of Research Forest Drive, as well as the intersection of Tamina Road and I-45, a northbound extension of David Memorial Drive to Hwy. 242, and possibly a new westbound corridor from I-45 to The Woodlands.

Oak Ridge North Mayor Jim Kuykendall said he was concerned with the traffic in his city along Robinson Road.

"It just paralyzes the community at different times of day," Kuykendall said. "People cannot get out of the community."

Bicycle lanes, I-45 ramps, the expansion of FM 2978 and its noise concerns, and other projects were also discussed as possible areas of study. Conroe Councilman Guy Martin said his city has interest in the inclusion of Conroe in the study, which Martin said would be discussed before the next committee meeting on April 24.

The Woodlands requested the inclusion of a separate but parallel transit study.

"Roads will not solve our mobility issues," Bass said of transit concerns.

Alan Clark, Metropolitan Planning Organization director for H-GAC's transportation department, said the group will meet in April to refine the vision of the mobility scope and begin creating agreements with local participants. Clark said there is no timetable for when requests for consultants may be sent out, although he anticipates the study should be completed by spring of 2014 in time to be included in the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan.

A draft document of the RTP will be completed by late 2014, Clark said, and the inclusion of projects from the transportation study would help improve those projects' chances of receiving federal funding.

While many officials expressed a desire to prioritize transportation projects through H-GAC's study, Clark said federal funding for projects may not necessarily agree with the region's prioritization.

"Funding opportunities happen when they happen," Clark said. "Project No. 7 may get funding before projects No. 1, 2 and 3."