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| Curran Events Hey Ya’ll! Hope all is fine with the citizens of our area. Lately I’ve been talking to a number of you concerning the growth of Montgomery and the surround area. Recently a transportation meeting was held with County Commissioner Mike Meador and with John Holzwarth and they shared some possible plans for our area. Both of these men are very familiar with traffic congestion. Mike has had to deal with tremendous growth in his precinct and J.C. (That’s what he is more commonly known as) spent many years with TX-DOT being involved with the growth of IH 45 as well as SH 105. At this point the biggest nemesis that this area faces is funding, the almighty dollar! You can do all the studies you want but regardless the finding where will the money come from to do whatever is needed? At this meeting a proposed loop was brought up along with concerns about the FM 149 and SH 105 congestion. That congestion has grown to a point where its not just a morning and afternoon problem, it’s all day! A loop may be the only feasible answer, and I can hear some of you now--he’s crazy. Think about something though--first of all FM 149 needs widening badly its seeing a great increase of commuter traffic, recreational traffic and during school, bus traffic, not to mention the bike-riders on the weekends. It needs to be widened to two lanes each way and with a dedicated center turn lane and it needs done from at least Keenan Cut-Off to FM 1097. Take a look at the situation and where will the Right-of-Way come from needed to accomplish this, especially at the Intersection of FM 149 and SH 105? SH 105 through our area has had some revitalization but it is time NOW to think about its expansion, its going to happen folks, but once again where will the Right-of-Way come from? In the area from the intersection west all the way to the high school the Right-of-Way is pushed to the limit now. Speaking of the High School, what about the new Sports Complex, that will bring about additional traffic, will present SH 105 be able to handle this? NOOOOOOOOO! I know many of you have put a great deal of time, effort and money into establishing your businesses and homes, its understandable that you want to protect your interest. There’s two ways to look at the problem. If Montgomery establishes itself as a good place to shop, a place that has good events and continued emphasis on historical importance then people will come. A THRU TRAFFIC loop could help ease some congestion, most of those travelers are not going to stop anyway. The FAST FOOD industry is the business travelers frequent anyway, but if you have a well-known local shop or restaurant that is people friendly and service oriented then their business should not suffer. Secondly, if the area does not address the congestion soon then there will be a real reason to worry. The pass through traffic will continue, but the leisure shopping will stop. The problem is large and there is no simple solution. Montgomery is no different than many small towns, it has failed to plan ahead, but that failure has been due to funds and the ability to project the future. If the town is going to thrive then the "Buck needs to Stop Now!" Those that are in control need to really look to the future. If the City is going to address the traffic, the zoning and the infrastructure then they need to look at people from all areas for input. This would involve business owners, local residents and people who may not necessarily own a home or business inside the city limits, but have some fresh ideas to bring to the table! From "Montgomery’s Sagebrush Philosopher" Until next time- Goods Cow Call’n. Good Frog Gigg’n and Go Ag’s! Adios |
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©Montgomery
County News, 2004 |
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