The Woodlands Township opposes certain proposed road projects in 2021 Montgomery County Thoroughfare Plan

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held a special meeting via videoconference on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 10 a.m. to discuss the proposed 2021 Montgomery County Thoroughfare Plan.

On May 25, 2021, Montgomery County announced the release of a virtual public meeting and public comment period on the proposed 2021 Montgomery County Thoroughfare Plan. Public comment is due by noon on June 11, 2021. The Montgomery County Commissioners Court is expected to consider a final plan for adoption by the end of July.

Residents can voice their opinions in the virtual public meeting through Friday, June 11, 2021 at this website: https://www.projectinformation.com/MontgomeryMTFP/.

Board members viewed the virtual public meeting and adopted a Resolution of recommendations to submit as public comment regarding the plan. These supporting recommendations ask for the removal of certain roadways that the Township Board had previously requested to be removed from the 2016 version of the thoroughfare plan as well as oppose certain mobility projects recommended in and adjacent to The Woodlands Township’s portion located in Montgomery County. Board members expressed concerns of potential negative long term impact to residents of The Woodlands.

“It is clear we do not have enough information about many of these proposed projects and the corresponding impact on the roadways,” said Township Chairman Gordy Bunch. “Certain portions of the plan could have major impacts on residents of The Woodlands.”

One area in particular noted by the Board is the realignment of the Woodlands Parkway extension approximately one quarter mile south of the proposed alignment that was overwhelmingly opposed by Woodlands residents in 2015. The ‘new’ alignment, also known as the Woodtrace extension, runs from FM 2978 and Mansions Way to SH 249. The route is about a ¼ mile south of Woodlands Parkway. “The re-route potentially could bring the same amount of traffic into Woodlands Parkway as a direct connect,” Chairman Bunch said. “It is located between two (2) ingress points (Woodlands Parkway and May Valley), potentially adding large amounts of cars into The Woodlands every day.”

The Board commended the removal of some proposed roadway projects previously opposed by the Township, including an extension of Branch Crossing Drive north of Research Forest Drive to FM 1488 and an extension of Gosling Road north of SH 242 toward the City of Conroe. However, the Board expressed concerns about certain other possible alignments including an extension of Alden Bridge Drive to Egypt Lane, the connection of Lake Robbins Drive at Lake Woodlands Drive and the extension of Grogan’s Mill Road north of Vision Park to SH 242 by way of Atkinson Lane.

Please stay connected to The Woodlands Township through many communications channels. Learn more and sign up at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed. Follow the Township’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thewoodlandstownship.

For more information on The Woodlands Township, or to view the meeting in its entirety, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, or call 281-210-3800.