There are several transportation updates for projects around the Tomball and Magnolia area. Check them out below. This list is not comprehensive.

Hufsmith Road intersection improvements
Project: This will make improvements to the intersections of Hufsmith Road at Kuykendahl Road, Stuebner Airline Road and FM 2978.
Update: This project is now in the design phase for future planning and construction, according to Harris County Precinct 3.

• Cost: $36,645
• Timeline: TBD
• Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3

• Cost: $1.1 million
• Timeline: September 2025-fourth quarter 2025
• Funding sources: Federal, state funds

Baylor St. Luke's Medical Group has opened a new primary care clinic in Magnolia, according to a Dec. 10 news release.

Quote of note: "We are incredibly excited to bring the exceptional care and compassionate approach of Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group to the Magnolia community," Berney Crane, president of CommonSpirit Health, Physician Enterprise-Texas Markets, said via news release.

What they offer: The clinic offers a wide variety of services, not limited to, but including preventive care, wellness visits, women’s health and men’s health. It also provides services for chronic health conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, among others.

• 13371 FM 1488, Ste. 104, Magnolia

On Jan. 1, drivers will see an increase in toll rates, according to a Nov. 18 news release from the Harris County Toll Road Authority.

In a nutshell: The toll rate increases are along the Montgomery County Toll Road Authority’s portion of Hwy. 249. Through an interlocal agreement, HCTRA provides toll tag account management and customer service to MCTRA.

According to the news release and HCTRA’s system map, the toll increases for drivers with EZ tags are as follows:

Northbound and southbound Decker Plaza mainlane pass-through

• Two axles: from $1.54 to $1.57
• Three axles: from $3.07 to $3.14
• Four axles: from $4.61 to $4.71
• Five axles: from $6.14 to $6.28
• Six axles: from $7.68 to $7.85

• Two axles: from $0.61 to $0.62
• Three axles: from $1.21 to $1.24
• Four axles: from $1.82 to $1.87
• Five axles: from $2.42 to $2.49
• Six axles: from $3.03 to $3.11

With a unanimous vote on Dec. 11, Harris County commissioners reauthorized 100% property tax exemptions for qualified child care providers for 2026 onward in a move that is expected to save thousands of dollars for providers, county officials said.

The full story: Commissioners first approved the 100% property tax exemption for qualified child care centers in March 2024, with the stipulation that the exemption would expire every two years unless commissioners voted for an extension. With the December vote, commissioners also approved removing the expiration clause, which allows the exemption to continue without requiring the two year reapproval from Commissioners Court.

Latest update: Eligible child care providers can apply for the exemption Jan. 1 through March 1.

Quote of note: “Today’s unanimous vote shows that every single one of us on commissioners court, regardless of political party, understands the importance of protecting access to high-quality, early childhood education and supporting the providers who make those opportunities possible,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a news release.