MC Road Bond: $102M Spent, $178M Remaining

CONROE, Texas — Nine years after Montgomery County voters authorized a 280 million dollar road bond referendum, county officials report that roughly 178 million dollars remains unspent, even as major infrastructure projects continue to reshape the region’s landscape.

Data provided by the Montgomery County Engineering Department confirms that as of April 15, the county has officially expended approximately 102 million dollars of the bond package approved in November 2015. These funds have been funneled into 41 distinct infrastructure projects spanning 10 major transit corridors, reflecting a long-term strategy to address the rapid population growth in one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Montgomery County has seen a population increase of more than 30 percent since 2015, putting intense pressure on aging rural roads that were not designed for modern commuter volumes. County officials have consistently pointed to these bond-funded projects as essential for managing traffic congestion and improving public safety.

Among the most significant undertakings is the expansion of FM 1488 in Magnolia. The project seeks to widen the corridor from two lanes to four and includes comprehensive signal upgrades, particularly near Mill Creek Road. The total price tag for this improvement is estimated at 40 million dollars, with the county contributing 25 million dollars from the bond fund. Construction remains active, with a projected completion date set for mid-2025.

In the southern portion of the county, the Fish Creek Thoroughfare project near the Woodforest community has already reached a significant milestone. The widening project, which provides a critical link from FM 1488 to FM 2854, officially opened to motorists this past January at a final cost of 11.1 million dollars.

In North Conroe, construction crews are currently working on a 27.9 million dollar project along Peckinpaugh Road. The initiative involves both road widening and the construction of a new bridge spanning the San Jacinto River. Like the FM 1488 project, officials expect the Peckinpaugh work to reach completion by mid-2025.

Further east in New Caney, a major expansion of FM 1485 is underway. This segment, stretching from Gene Campbell Road to Fostoria Road, is being funded through a partnership between local and state entities. Montgomery County is contributing 20 million dollars toward the effort, while the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has allocated 17 million dollars. The project is currently in the active construction phase, with a targeted completion window of late 2026.

The collaboration with TxDOT remains a cornerstone of the county’s construction philosophy. Because many of the impacted routes are state-maintained highways, the county frequently enters into "pass-through" financing agreements. Under these arrangements, the county funds the project upfront to accelerate the timeline, with the state later reimbursing the local government as agreed-upon milestones are met.

For residents and commuters looking to track the progress of these ongoing infrastructure improvements, Montgomery County maintains a dedicated road projects portal on its official website at mctx.org.

As the county prepares for its next phase of development, the remaining 178 million dollars in bond funds will serve as the financial bedrock for future bids, property acquisitions, and utility relocations necessary to support the region's continued expansion.