Willis FM 1097 Expansion Town Hall Aug 12

Residents of Willis and Montgomery County will have a front-row seat to the future of local infrastructure next month as the Texas Department of Transportation and the City of Willis host a public town hall meeting to discuss the impending expansion of FM 1097.

The meeting is scheduled for August 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Willis Community Center, located at 109 W. Mink St. City and state officials will be on hand to provide an update on the project, which aims to address chronic traffic congestion and safety concerns along one of the area’s most vital corridors.

The project encompasses a 5.2-mile stretch of FM 1097, beginning at the I-45 interchange and extending eastward to FM 830. Currently a two-lane undivided roadway, the route frequently experiences significant bottlenecks during peak travel times as the population of Willis continues to surge. Under the proposed expansion, the road will be transformed into a four-lane divided thoroughfare, featuring a continuous center left-turn lane designed to improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of rear-end collisions.

According to officials, the project is currently in its final stages of development, with design plans reported as 90 percent complete. Following the finalization of these designs, TxDOT intends to put the project out for competitive bidding between late 2024 and early 2025.

Once a contractor is selected and construction begins, residents should prepare for a long-term transition. The project is estimated to take between three and four years to complete, with an anticipated budget of $39.5 million.

The expansion is a key component of the broader regional effort to manage the rapid growth of Montgomery County. As suburban development pushes further north, FM 1097 has seen a drastic increase in daily vehicle counts. Local leaders view the widening as a necessary evolution for the city's infrastructure, ensuring that the road can accommodate not only current commuter traffic but also the needs of future residential and commercial developments.

Representatives from TxDOT are expected to present detailed timelines, detour plans, and right-of-way acquisition updates during the town hall. Residents are encouraged to attend to voice concerns and ask questions directly to the project engineers and city staff.

Those unable to attend the meeting can track project updates through the official TxDOT website at www.txdot.gov, where project information and public hearing materials are frequently updated. Further information regarding city-specific impacts can also be found on the City of Willis municipal website at www.ci.willis.tx.us.