FM 1097 widening, Hwy. 75 reconstruction: See 10 transportation updates around the Conroe area
Here are the latest updates on 10 transportation projects happening in the Conroe area. This list is not comprehensive.
Hwy. 75 reconstruction Project: Between South Loop 336 North and Gladstell Street, Hwy. 75 is undergoing reconstruction that incudes planing and underseal base repair. Update: This project is 60% complete, according to an Aug. 5 media update from the Texas Department of Transportation.
Timeline: first quarter 2025-fourth quarter 2025
Cost: $3.3 million
Funding source: state funds
South Loop 336 widening Project: Between I-45 and Ladera Creek Trace, South Loop 336 is being widened from two to four lanes with a continuous left-turn lane. Update: This project is 34% completed, according to an Aug. 5 media update from TxDOT.
Hive Academy new preschool, after-school open in Spring
Hive Academy, a family-owned private preschool, celebrated its grand opening in Spring on Sept. 6. The academy offers care for infants, toddlers, pre-K students and school-age children, according to its website. Owner Julie Eilers said she and her husband wanted to create a program that alleviates the burden on parents struggling with work-life balance.
Quote of note:"Our goal was to create a school where children can thrive [and] the families have convenient, all-inclusive care where all they have to worry about is just getting their student to school, and we will take care of the rest for them," Eilers said.
Magnolia installs first Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station No. 181
Residents and local community leaders gathered at the Magnolia Fire Station No. 181 on Sept. 3 to dedicate the first Safe Haven Baby Box in Magnolia, giving parents a safe and anonymous way to surrender their newborns without legal consequences.
About the project: Magnolia Fire Chief Terry Colburn said the project was made possible through community partnerships, including support from St. Matthias the Apostle Catholic Community, the Respect Life Ministry & Knights of Columbus, the Luttrell families, Billy Masden, Chris Jones and the Cotton Foundation, which helped fund and coordinate the installation at no cost to taxpayers.
Quote of note: “This project has been a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together, from local advocates and partners, the Cotton Foundation, to our city leaders, faith leaders—each one of you has played a role in making this vision a reality for that,” Colburn said.
What to know: Most Texas school districts required to display donated Ten Commandments posters under state law
Most Texas public schools are required to display donated posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms under Senate Bill 10, a state law that took effect Sept. 1.
The details: On Aug. 20, a Texas federal judge temporarily blocked the following 11 school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments:
Alamo Heights ISD
Austin ISD
Cy-Fair ISD
Dripping Springs ISD
Fort Bend ISD
Houston ISD
Lackland ISD
Lake Travis ISD
North East ISD
Northside ISD
Plano ISD
Attorney General Ken Paxton appealed the ruling and directed other school districts to begin displaying donated copies of the Ten Commandments.
The debate: Proponents of SB 10, including Paxton and Republican state lawmakers, have argued that seeing the Ten Commandments on a daily basis will help Texas students better understand U.S. history and learn about morality.
Some religious scholars have stressed the importance of teaching students about religion in an “appropriate educational context.” Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns that non-Christian students will feel left out or be bullied by their peers for not following the Ten Commandments.
