Representative Mark Keough issues statement of support for passage of Montgomery County Road Bond

AUSTIN, Texas — Since the year 2000, Montgomery County has grown in population by over 205,000 residents that today results in over 500,000 people calling Montgomery County their home. During this same time period in addition to this phenomenal residential growth, South Montgomery County and more especially The Woodlands has evolved into a work destination for more than 50,000 people each day.

This double digit growth along with unprecedented economic development has translated into a traffic snarl that is in dire need of resolution. This double digit growth, the community has experienced year after year, still shows no signs of deceleration and has left the area with infrastructure being utilized over its engineered capacity, too few roads in areas where population density is the highest, and roads that are in need of repair.

In order to facilitate a path to resolving the traffic situation, in November of 2014 Montgomery County Commissioners Court assembled a bond steering committee which based upon the commissioners recommendations, put together a plan that would have the most amount of impact with the least amount of expense in relieving the congestion.. This formula was to ensure that the necessary improvements could take place without a tax increase to Montgomery County residents. Based upon the final recommendations, in February the Commissioners Court approved a $350 million dollar road bond referendum designed to meet the infrastructure recommendations while simultaneously keeping taxes at their present expense structure.

Included in the list of projects are some of the most heavily traveled roads in the county. Widening Rayford road is a top priority, along with Robinson Road, Highway 242 East, David Memorial extension, Tamina Road, Fish Creek Thoroughfare, Research Forest, and Lake Woodlands Drive. There are 77 projects listed on the bond referendum. Of the total expense, 53% will be attributed to projects in Keough’s district.

However there has recently been a conflict over one particular road namely the extension of the Woodlands Parkway which comprises 22 million dollars of the bond. Woodlands residents contend that the increase in traffic will jeopardize the safety of residents due to the potential for increased crimes, will cause a decrease in property values because of traffic congestion and in general will diminish the community persona.

In response to the ground swell of opposition that is mounting against the bond from the Woodlands Residents, State Representative Mark Keough who represents the Woodlands and surrounding areas released the following Statement:

"Texas House District 15, which I represent, encompasses the entire southern portion of Montgomery County including 3 commissioners’ precincts who serve all of our residents. Since I equally serve all of the residents within my district, I vigorously support the passage of the proposed $350 million dollar road bond. Over 53 percent of the entire bond will directly impact roads, bridges, and drainage infrastructure within my district. Therefore we need every dollar to go towards alleviating the traffic congestion within the entire county, and especially in South Montgomery County. If there is any possibility that this bond fail due to one particular project I urge the commissioner’s court to rethink the inclusion of that project as a part of the bond and reallocate those funds for other mobility priorities.”

Keough went on to say “Whether the Woodlands Parkway extension is or is not included, the passing of this bond referendum is essential to alleviating our present and future mobility issues.”

Representative Mark Keough represents District 15, which encompasses the southern portion of Montgomery County including the cities of Shenandoah, Oak Ridge North, and The Woodlands Township.