9 road projects in The Woodlands area underway or starting soon
Design work on seven projects funded by the 2025 Montgomery County road bond was completed or wrapping up in late summer, and two other projects are underway in The Woodlands area. This list is not comprehensive.
Upcoming projects
Grogans Mill Road and Lake Woodlands Drive
Project: The project will extend the left-turn lane to the median opening on northbound Grogans Mill Road onto westbound Lake Woodlands Drive.
Update: Engineering design was completed in August.
Cost: $22,500 (design)
Timeline: Construction will begin in the fall.
Woodlands Parkway at Kuykendahl Road
Project: The project will add a left-turn lane and extend lane storage from northbound Kuykendahl Road to westbound and eastbound Woodlands Parkway.
Update: Engineering design work was near completion in mid-August.
Montgomery County approves roadside vendor, solicitor regulations
Roadside vendor and solicitor regulations will take effect in Montgomery County after commissioners voted Aug. 26 to adopt an ordinance regulating roadside vendors and solicitors in unincorporated areas of the county.
What you need to know: The ordinance bans the solicitation of money as well as the sale or distribution of food and merchandise on public highways, roads or rights of way. It also prohibits vendors from placing or maintaining structures in those areas, per the ordinance.
According to the ordinance, the goal is to address traffic congestion and safety hazards caused when drivers stop or slow down to engage with vendors or solicitors.
“Public safety is threatened by drivers who are distracted by the operation of vendors and solicitors on a public highway or road,” the ordinance states.
Violations will be classified as Class C misdemeanors under the Texas Transportation Code, with each day of noncompliance considered a separate offense. The new rules take effect Sept. 1
Amid Democratic criticism, Texas lawmakers vote to overhaul STAAR and launch new tests in 2027
Both chambers of the Texas Legislature have voted to overhaul the state’s standardized testing system, putting public school students one step closer to taking new exams in the 2027-28 school year.
The details: House Bill 8 would eliminate the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness and replace it with three shorter tests, which students would take at the beginning, middle and end of each school year.
Bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, said HB 8 would “reduce test anxiety, provide teachers with immediate feedback and create a pathway for trust in our system again." The majority of House Democrats and a few Republicans disagreed, arguing Aug. 26 that the bill would increase the amount of time students spend on exams and essentially create “another STAAR test” developed by the Texas Education Agency.
Next steps: After state senators passed HB 8 with a 21-7 vote Aug. 27, the bill returned to the House for consideration of a Senate amendment. If House lawmakers sign off on the changes, HB 8 will be sent to the governor.
Frontier Airlines announces 8 new routes from IAH airport
Starting in late November, Houston travelers flying on Frontier Airlines will have new routes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The framework: Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design, said in an Aug. 26 news release that the company is thrilled to add new routes from Houston as part of its aim to expand low-fare carrier options in the top 20 metros in the country.
“With new nonstop routes to exciting domestic and international destinations, now is a better time than ever for Houston-area travelers to fly with Frontier and enjoy the convenience, comfort and signature affordability we offer,” Flyr said.
What you need to know: The Denver-based airline company announced the following new IAH domestic and international routes launching in late 2025 through early 2026:
