Precinct 3 Rayford Road Widening & Drainage Project Earns Award

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- One of Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack’s major road construction projects has earned recognition from professional engineers in the region.

The American Society of Highway Engineers Houston Section named the Rayford Road Improvement Project as its Project of the Year (Greater than $20 million). The award was presented during the ASHE Houston Gala on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at the Petroleum Club of Houston.

The Rayford Road project improved mobility and storm drainage while providing a safer roadway along a 3.15-mile stretch between Richards Road and the Grand Parkway.

Highlights of the project included:

• Widening Rayford Road from four to six lanes
• Building a multi-span, six-lane bridge to bypass the Union Pacific Railroad at-grade crossing
• Constructing more than 3.6 miles of enclosed, underground storm drainage along Rayford Road and down to an outfall at Spring Creek
• Adding new traffic lights and synchronizing signals
• Building raised medians to enhance safety of left-turning motorists
• Upgrading pavement on all lanes of the project

The project was identified as a top priority in the 2013 South Montgomery County Mobility Plan. The South County Mobility Study was initiated by Commissioner Noack shortly after taking office for his first term and has become the standard in the county for mobility planning.

The improvements relieved congestion, decreased travel time and enhanced safety, while also providing better access for critical emergency vehicles along Rayford Road, which has an average daily traffic count of 45,000 to 50,000 vehicles along certain stretches, per TxDOT data.

The Rayford Road Improvement Project was part of the November 2015 Montgomery County road bond referendum approved by voters. With an original estimated total cost of design, property acquisition and construction of $60 million, the project came in more than 10 percent under budget at a cost of $53.4 million.

“This project was the No. 1 priority of mine coming out of the South County Mobility Study in order to provide residents with a major roadway that met their needs while keeping pace with residential and commercial infrastructure growth east of Interstate 45,” Commissioner Noack said. “This collaborative effort addressed traffic gridlock and street flooding issues, providing a much safer road through exceptional design and construction.”

Precinct 3 partnered with RPS Infrastructure Inc. for right-of-way mapping and acquisition services for 56 parcels, final design and construction documents. Vulcan Materials/Smith & Company won the bid for construction. Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation, GeoScience Engineering & Testing Inc. and Hassell/Lindsey Construction also played an integral part in construction of the project.

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