Old Conroe Road Closed Due to I-45 Expansion Safety

**Old Conroe Road Permanently Closed Between I-45 and Frazier Street Due to I-45 Expansion Safety Concerns**

**Conroe, TX – July 29, 2024** – Motorists in Montgomery County awoke today to a significant change in their daily commutes as Old Conroe Road officially shut down permanently for the stretch between Interstate 45 and Frazier Street (FM 1488). The full closure, effective Monday, July 29, 2024, is a direct result of ongoing safety concerns stemming from the massive I-45 North expansion project.

Commissioner James Noack, representing Montgomery County Precinct 2, announced the decision, citing an unacceptable risk to public safety. “The proximity of high-speed construction vehicles, temporary lane shifts, and heavy machinery operating just feet from active traffic lanes created an unacceptable risk of collision,” Commissioner Noack stated in a release. “We tried mitigating the danger by lowering the speed limit from 55 mph to 35 mph, but even that wasn’t enough to ensure the safety of our residents and the construction crews working on the vital I-45 expansion.”

The closure significantly impacts residents and businesses in the area, particularly those accessing the Conroe Park North Industrial Park, local businesses like Speedy Stop, and various residential developments. Daily commuters who previously relied on Old Conroe Road as a bypass or direct route to I-45 will now need to adjust their routes.

**Alternative Routes and Traffic Impact**

Officials advise drivers to utilize the newly constructed I-45 frontage roads or FM 1488 (Frazier Street) as primary alternatives. While these routes are designed to handle traffic, local officials anticipate increased congestion, especially during peak hours, as motorists adapt to the new flow.

“We understand this is a significant inconvenience for many of our constituents,” added Commissioner Noack. “However, the long-term benefits of the I-45 expansion, which aims to alleviate chronic congestion and improve safety along this critical corridor, outweigh the temporary disruption. We urge everyone to plan their routes accordingly, allow for extra travel time, and exercise patience as we navigate this transition.”

**Background and Future Plans**

The segment of Old Conroe Road now closed once served as FM 2854, a state highway, until TxDOT relinquished control to Montgomery County years ago as part of a realignment and jurisdictional transfer process. The current I-45 North expansion project, a multi-year, multi-billion dollar undertaking by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), is transforming the entire corridor from north of Conroe down to Houston. This specific phase, involving new frontage roads and mainlane expansions, is projected to continue through 2028.

Once the extensive I-45 construction in this area is finally complete, the county plans to revisit the issue and explore options for a completely new connection. This future project aims to restore similar access to what Old Conroe Road once offered, likely involving a realigned or reconstructed connection designed to integrate safely with the new I-45 infrastructure, potentially including an underpass or bridge structure. However, preliminary design and funding for such a project are still years away.

“While the closure is permanent for this segment, our goal is to eventually provide a safe and efficient access point once the major I-45 work is done,” a TxDOT spokesperson confirmed, emphasizing the necessity of the current closure for worker and public safety.

For more information on the I-45 North expansion project, including maps and updates, residents are encouraged to visit the TxDOT Houston District website at [www.txdot.gov/houston](http://www.txdot.gov/houston) or contact Montgomery County Precinct 2 directly.