Woodlands Pkwy Extension Study & Design Approval

Conroe, TX – The Montgomery County Commissioners Court is set to hold a pivotal meeting on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, that will address the long-debated and highly contentious proposed extension of Woodlands Parkway, also known as the “David Memorial Drive extension.” The meeting, scheduled for 9:30 AM, will take place in the Commissioners Courtroom on the First Floor of the Alan B. Sadler Administration Building, located at 501 North Thompson Street in Conroe.

The agenda includes two key items directly related to the project, which aims to extend Woodlands Parkway/David Memorial Drive west to FM 2978. Commissioners will consider officially accepting a $150,000 donation from The Woodlands Land Development Company, L.P. This substantial sum is specifically earmarked to fund a comprehensive study concerning the proposed extension.

In a related move, the Court will also vote on signing an agreement with Pate Transportation Engineering. This agreement would enlist the firm to provide preliminary design services for the very same proposed extension, pushing the roadway further west towards FM 2978.

The Woodlands Parkway extension has been a recurring flashpoint in Montgomery County politics for well over a decade, deeply dividing residents of The Woodlands and surrounding areas. Proponents argue the extension is a critical piece of infrastructure needed to alleviate crippling traffic congestion on major arteries like FM 1488 and FM 2978, which are continually strained by rapid population growth in the region. They contend it would provide an alternative east-west connector, improving regional mobility and emergency response times.

However, a vocal opposition, primarily composed of Woodlands residents, has consistently voiced strong concerns about the project’s potential negative impacts. Groups like “Stop Woodlands Parkway Extension” (SWPE) have organized extensively, arguing that extending the parkway would not solve congestion but rather exacerbate it by inducing more traffic, funneling vehicles into established residential areas, and fundamentally altering the planned, natural character of The Woodlands. Their concerns also extend to environmental impacts, including potential harm to forested areas and local waterways, as well as reduced public safety due to increased traffic volumes and speeds within residential zones.

The Woodlands Land Development Company, L.P., is an entity associated with The Howard Hughes Holdings Inc., the master developer of The Woodlands. Their donation signals continued developer interest in expanding the area’s transportation network, which is often seen as essential for future commercial and residential development.

This move by the Commissioners Court marks a significant step forward for a project that has previously faced setbacks, including being largely rejected in county bond referendums. By funding a study and preliminary design separately, the Court is seeking to gather more detailed information before any potential large-scale construction vote.

Residents are strongly encouraged to attend the meeting in person to offer public comments or watch the proceedings live online. The official agenda for the Montgomery County Commissioners Court meeting, including links to supporting documents and information on how to participate remotely, is typically available on the county’s website (mctx.org) in the days leading up to the session. The outcome of Tuesday’s vote will set the immediate course for one of Montgomery County’s most enduring and controversial transportation debates.