FM 1488 widening project slated west of city of Magnolia

The Texas Department of Transportation has proposed widening FM 1488 from Business 290 to Joseph Road just west of the city of Magnolia to improve safety, mobility and connectivity, according to TxDOT information. TxDOT is proposing to widen the current two-lane road to a four-lane road with a median, according to agency information. The project, within both Harris and Waller counties, spans approximately 20 miles and is estimated to cost $28 million.

An open house meeting was held in Waller on March 3 to gather public input on the project slated to improve safety. According to documents provided by TxDOT, there were 124 crashes within the project limits from 2014-18, four of which were fatal. However, TxDOT information projects crashes will decrease by 42% once the project is implemented.

In addition, the project also seeks to improve connectivity between I-45 and Hwy. 290, according to TxDOT information.

The average daily traffic count on FM 1488 west of Joseph Road increased 29.6% between 2014-18, totaling 5,819 vehicles per day in 2018, according to TxDOT.

There are three construction alternatives to widen either the north, south or both sides of FM 1488, which could displace up to 30 residents, businesses and organizations, depending on the route chosen.

The next step in this project is to consider public comments received in March and refine the alternatives of the project to propose a final alignment, according to TxDOT.

As the project is currently unfunded, there is no construction timeline available, TxDOT Public Information Officer Deidrea George said in an email.