Texas Transportation Commission Action Backs SH 249 Tollway Project

CONROE, TX — Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal praised the Texas Transportation Commission with its plan to move foreward and extend State Highway 249 in Montgomery and Grimes counties, but criticized Commissioner James Noack for what Doyal said called false statements and hypocrisy on the project.

The Texas Transportation Commission on Thursday approved designating the project between Pinehurst and Todd Mission as a design-build toll project.

"We are very grateful the commission acted unanimously to approve this segment of 249 so we can begin moving forward with this vital project," Doyal said. "The 249 extension will ease traffic congestion in southwest Montgomery County, and by opening up access, will generate high-value commercial development that will expand our tax base and help provide relief to residential property taxpayers."

Doyal said transportation commissioners rebutted false arguments that were made about the project by Commissioner James Noack and his allies – in particular that the state could build the road without tolls.

"I’m glad the commissioners saw past the attempts at political manipulation by Commissioner Noack and his allies," he said. "After voting numerous times in support of this project, including a resolution passed by this court, Commissioner Noack decided it was somehow politically advantageous to him to flip flop and falsely argue the state would build this road without tolls. It showed he could care less about the mobility issues, economic success and prosperity of southwest Montgomery County and the rest of the county."

Members of the commission made it clear that if the project isn’t funded by tolls, it won’t have any funding at all.

"The high likelihood is this project would not be funded for years," said Commissioner Victor T. Vandergriff.

Around a dozen southwest Montgomery County community leaders and elected officials attended the June 29 meeting, including representative of Magnolia, chambers, economic development organizations and the city of Tomball.

To demonstrate support for the project, Judge Doyal also handed the commission resolutions and letters of support from Montgomery County Commissioners Court, the Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce, the city of Magnolia, the city of Todd Mission, the city of Navasota, and the Texas Renaissance Festival.

Paul Mendes, city administrator for Magnolia, told the commissioners that State Highway 249 is a project that must be completed.

"Many of the people who have spoken to you (against the project) don’t live in the Magnolia area. They live in The Woodlands or elsewhere," he said. "They don’t sit in traffic trying to get to Tomball like we do on a two-lane road between Magnolia and Tomball. Now it’s time to stand up and look the eagle in the eye, and make 249 a reality."

Photo courtesy of Montgomery County Judge Doyal

Follow Us On Facebook: Engage with your neighbors in the Metro Houston area and keep up with the talk of the day by liking one of our Facebook pages. Houston / Midtown Houston / Houston Heights / Galleria - River Oaks / Bellaire / Meyerland / Humble-Kingwood / Conroe-Montgomery County / Sugar Land / Pasadena / The Woodlands / Clear Lake