Conroe Sets Sights on Major Infrastructure Upgrade, Old Conroe Road Extension and Widening Project to Commence in 2026

The sprawling city of Conroe is set to embark on a substantial infrastructure project with the extension and widening of Old Conroe Road. Expected to start in 2026, the overhaul is estimated to cost around $193 million. Funding comes courtesy of the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), which has agreed to bear a lion's share of the cost, with Conroe responsible for securing $39 million, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The improvement project is poised to enhance connectivity between Sgt. Ed Holcombe Boulevard and Old Conroe Road and includes the construction of a bridge over the West Fork of the San Jacinto River and Lake Creek. Michael Keck, vice president of transportation with LJA Engineering, indicated to the Houston Chronicle that inflation in materials and land acquisition have led to increasing the project's costs. Keck further detailed that approximately 100 parcels will need to be acquired to gain the necessary 80 acres of right of way.

Another aspect of the project, as Community Impact outlined, is the widening of Sgt. Ed Holcomb Boulevard and Old Conroe Road to four 12-foot-wide travel lanes along with the addition of intermittent sidewalks and a shared-use path, which increases amenities for both vehicle and non-vehicle travel. The project also incorporates a curb-and-gutter drainage system for improved water management.

Things get more complex with the inclusion of a new bridge over the aforementioned West Fork San Jacinto River and Lake Creek, which is expected to feature multiple wide lanes and a shared-use path. Conroe City Engineer Chris Bogert, during a public meeting, emphasized the project's necessity, noting that it will provide relief on congested routes and a second emergency route over the San Jacinto River.

Bob Bagley, a Conroe resident for over two decades, shared mixed feelings during the same public meeting. "I think there’s some good to this," Bagley said. "Not all of it." He expressed concerns about past planning decisions and the subsequent need to invest heavily in property acquisition.

With the project's designs moving into the final stages after public input, right-of-way acquisition will start soon, with the anticipation of construction taking approximately five years once commences. Community members have until late April to submit comments or feedback on the upcoming project.