Montgomery County Assumes Old Conroe Road Widening

**Montgomery County Set to Assume Control of Major Old Conroe Road Widening Project**

**CONROE, TX – January 29, 2026** – A critical infrastructure upgrade for Montgomery County is poised to accelerate following a unanimous decision by the Conroe City Council to transfer the Old Conroe Road widening project to Montgomery County’s robust engineering department. The move, approved during a council meeting on January 28, 2026, aims to streamline efforts to expand a vital 2.5-mile stretch of the road, though it still requires final approval from the Montgomery County Commissioners Court.

The project encompasses widening Old Conroe Road from its current two lanes to four lanes, including a continuous center turn lane, stretching from FM 1488 north to Interstate 45. This expansion is designed to significantly alleviate traffic congestion and improve safety along a heavily traveled corridor in a rapidly growing region.

Conroe Public Works Director Norman McGuire candidly informed the city council that the city’s Public Works department faced significant staffing challenges that would hinder its ability to effectively manage a project of this scale. “While this project is incredibly important to Conroe residents, our current personnel capacity is stretched,” McGuire stated during the council discussion. “Handing the reins to the county, with their proven track record and extensive in-house engineering capabilities, is simply the most efficient path forward to get this done for our community.”

Conroe Mayor Jody Czajkoski echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative benefit. “This isn’t about passing the buck; it’s about smart governance and leveraging the strengths of our regional partners,” Mayor Czajkoski said. “The county has the resources and expertise to deliver this project promptly and effectively, which ultimately benefits all of Montgomery County.” Councilman Harry Hardman also voiced strong support, highlighting the project’s importance for future growth.

Montgomery County Commissioner James Noack, whose precinct includes a significant portion of the project area, has already expressed his readiness to move forward. “We’ve been eyeing this project closely, and the county is well-prepared to take it on,” Commissioner Noack commented. “Our team has successfully managed numerous road widening projects of similar scope across the county, and we understand the pressing need for these improvements in our rapidly expanding communities.”

The estimated total cost for the Old Conroe Road widening project stands at approximately $34.5 million. Conroe has committed $16 million towards this cost, with Montgomery County agreeing to cover the remaining balance. County officials confirmed they are actively pursuing additional state and federal funding opportunities, potentially through programs like the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) or other federal infrastructure grants, to help offset their financial contribution.

Once the transfer receives final endorsement from the Montgomery County Commissioners Court, which is expected to review the proposal in early February 2026, the project is anticipated to go out for bid in early 2027. Construction could potentially wrap up by late 2028 or early 2029, a timeline that officials believe would be significantly accelerated by the county’s direct management.

This strategic shift underscores a growing trend of inter-governmental cooperation within Montgomery County to address the escalating demands on infrastructure driven by population growth. Residents are encouraged to monitor the Montgomery County Commissioners Court agendas for updates on the final approval process, which are typically available on the county’s official website.