Landowner Rights Attorney Philip Hundl with Land Rights Law shares information about TxDOT’s Old Conroe Road expansion in Montgomery County, which may impact landowners along the corridor from FM 1488 toward Loop 336. Property owners should review the project details, watch for right-of-way impacts, and understand their landowner rights before signing anything.
Introduction to Montgomery County Project Alert: TxDOT Old Conroe Road Expansion and Landowner Rights
The TxDOT expansion of Old Conroe Road in Montgomery County appears to be becoming more active, and property owners along the project corridor should begin paying close attention.
For many Texas landowners, transportation projects can seem quiet for months or even years. A landowner may receive a request for survey access, hear that a project is being studied, and then hear very little for a long period of time. Then, seemingly all at once, the project becomes active again, and right-of-way acquisition agents begin contacting property owners.
That appears to be happening with the Old Conroe Road expansion project in Montgomery County.
Where Is the Old Conroe Road Expansion Project?
The Old Conroe Road expansion is a TxDOT project in Montgomery County. Based on available project information discussed in this update, the widening is expected to run generally from the FM 1488 area toward Loop 336 in the Conroe area.
This part of Montgomery County has experienced significant growth in recent years. With new subdivisions, increased development, and heavy traffic congestion, road expansion projects are becoming more common throughout the region.
For landowners along Old Conroe Road, that growth may now mean potential impacts to private property.
What Is TxDOT Planning to Do?
The project involves widening Old Conroe Road and adding lanes to improve traffic flow and capacity.
When TxDOT widens an existing road, the project may require additional right-of-way from private property owners. In many road expansion projects, land is needed from both sides of the roadway. In some cases, more property may be needed from one side than the other, but landowners on both sides of the road should be prepared to review how the project may affect their property.
If your property fronts Old Conroe Road, it is important to learn whether any portion of your land, improvements, access points, or property features may be affected.
What Landowners Should Be Watching For
Road-widening projects can affect more than just a strip of land along the front of a property. Depending on the design and right-of-way needs, the project could affect important parts of how you use and access your property.
Landowners should carefully consider whether the project may impact:
- Driveways and entrances
- Fences and gates
- Sprinkler systems
- Water wells located near the front of the property
- Landscaping
- Parking areas
- Business access points
- Signage
- Drainage
- Curb cuts
- Future access to the roadway
Even if TxDOT is only acquiring a portion of your frontage, the impact on the remainder of your property can be significant. A change in access, entrance location, driveway configuration, or traffic pattern may affect the usability and value of the remaining property.
Why Driveway Access and Curb Cuts Matter
One issue landowners should pay close attention to is driveway access.
In a road widening project, the location of curb cuts, driveways, turn lanes, medians, and crossovers can make a major difference. A driveway may not always be allowed exactly where the landowner wants it. In some cases, access can be limited, relocated, or changed in a way that affects how vehicles enter and exit the property.
For residential property owners, this may affect the daily use of the property. For commercial property owners, changes to access can have a serious impact on visibility, traffic flow, customer access, and property value.
Before agreeing to any right-of-way acquisition, landowners should understand how the final roadway design may affect access to their property.
Why Project Details Matter
At the beginning of many TxDOT projects, landowners may only receive broad information about the proposed expansion. The early notices may not include the specific details needed to fully understand how a property will be affected.
As the project becomes more active, it is important to review the specific plans, right-of-way maps, proposed acquisition area, driveway access, temporary construction easements, and any changes to the remainder of the property.
What Should Old Conroe Road Landowners Do Now?
If you own property along Old Conroe Road in Montgomery County, now is the time to become informed.
Start by gathering any letters, notices, survey access requests, right-of-way documents, maps, or communications you have received about the project. Keep envelopes, dates, and contact information from acquisition agents or survey crews.
You should also begin documenting the current condition of your property. Photos and videos of driveways, fences, entrances, wells, sprinkler systems, landscaping, drainage areas, and other improvements may be helpful later.
Most importantly, speak with an attorney who handles eminent domain and condemnation matters in Texas. A landowner should understand both their rights and TxDOT’s obligations before making decisions that may affect their property.
Learn More About the Old Conroe Road Expansion
The Old Conroe Road expansion is an important Montgomery County project, but it may also have significant consequences for landowners along the route.
If you have been contacted about survey access, right-of-way acquisition, or condemnation related to Old Conroe Road, take time to learn more before signing anything.
Visit TxCondemnationRights.com for project updates, landowner resources, and information about eminent domain and condemnation in Texas.
To speak with Land Rights Law about your property rights, call 800.266.4870 or click here to schedule a free consultation.
Call 800-266-4870 or text 979-320-9320 for an appointment. We can also arrange for online and telephone appointments all over Texas.