As a Magnolia/Woodlands area resident, I would like to announce that FM-1488 (Phase I) is complete for all of those who come via I-45 or TX-242.
Phase I opened a few days ago and it is a dream. The stretch of road between TX-242 and FM-2978 is now two lanes eastbound, two lanes westbound, and a dedicated center turn lane.
For all of you who take FM-1488 (or have purposely avoided it during the construction,) I hope this makes your travels to TRF safe and expedient!
Apologies if this has been put somewhere else, but I figured a new thread would increase visibility of this great news!
Thanks Ethan, great news!
1 season too late for us, but that may make our route less crowded as well. Good news.
It was amusing, driving up to Faire Sunday morning the Eastbound lanes were still one lane...when I came back towards 45, magically all the cones and construction were gone! All praise be to the Flying Spaghetti Monster
WOOHOO!!!
thanx for the info
That's for the update. Last year it was a real pain pulling the trailer through the construction. Guess I'm going to make better time this year.
should make it real nice for me coming in from Humble. (I take 1314 to 242 to 1488 to 1774 to TRF WOOHOO). Only three more days to go!!!!!!!!!
I am soooo glad that part is finished! What a pain in the arse it has been! On to the next phase....
Thankfully I have not had to use that way. I come from 290 and get to take 1488 from that direction.
I am happy for those who don't have to deal with construction though any longer.
We come up 45 from downtown. Does anyone know the condition of the freeway between the Woodlands and Conroe? It seems like they'd finally gotten that bridge situation finished and it looked like they were about to tackle the stretch from that point north through Conroe, which means the main intersection at 105.
Quote from: Lady Laura on October 07, 2008, 01:09:13 PM
We come up 45 from downtown. Does anyone know the condition of the freeway between the Woodlands and Conroe? It seems like they'd finally gotten that bridge situation finished and it looked like they were about to tackle the stretch from that point north through Conroe, which means the main intersection at 105.
Since the construction phase of 1488 is complete, ya might want to exit fm242, turn left, then follow it down until it dead ends into 1488, turn left and yer off to faire!
Did the construction get around some of the lights on 1488? I remember a number of years ago going that way and having to deal with tons of stop lights. Or will going your way bypass some of them? Thanks!
Quote from: Bonny Pearl on October 07, 2008, 01:14:34 PM
Quote from: Lady Laura on October 07, 2008, 01:09:13 PM
We come up 45 from downtown. Does anyone know the condition of the freeway between the Woodlands and Conroe? It seems like they'd finally gotten that bridge situation finished and it looked like they were about to tackle the stretch from that point north through Conroe, which means the main intersection at 105.
Since the construction phase of 1488 is complete, ya might want to exit fm242, turn left, then follow it down until it dead ends into 1488, turn left and yer off to faire!
I agree -
Exit 79 - TX-242 is a solid route. You can also go up to
Exit 81 - FM 1488 and immediately get into the middle lane on the frontage road, you'll get on the cloverleaf-esque ramp which will take you back over I-45 and heading westbound on FM-1488. Stay on FM-1488 for about 30 minutes and you'll be right at the FM-1778 intersection for Plantersville and TRF!
Quote from: Lady Laura on October 07, 2008, 01:17:24 PM
Did the construction get around some of the lights on 1488? I remember a number of years ago going that way and having to deal with tons of stop lights. Or will going your way bypass some of them? Thanks!
It seems like the completion of the new FM-1488 has (kind of) made the lights not much of an issue. I believe they have been re-programmed/calibrated to handle more eastbound and westbound flow on FM-1488.
Regardless of route, getting to TRF is the most important thing!! :)
exiting 242 or 1488....well, 242, a few lights, higher speed limit....1488, lower speed limit in that area up to 242, sometimes congested... it's a personal choice really. :)
I would say take the 242 exit because that is JUST about where the traffic from Conroe starts backing up real bad and you can avoid that mess.
I may try your suggestion going up Friday since it will be around 8:30, and there shouldn't be any traffic headed west. Then I can see if I like it better than 105. Although now I'm kinda partial to going that way. Seeing the lake, the Sonic, the little convenience store by the Burger King! And we pig out at Taco Bell without fail everytime we leave on Sunday! I see a junk food pattern here :-[
Quote from: Lady Laura on October 07, 2008, 01:39:51 PM
I may try your suggestion going up Friday since it will be around 8:30, and there shouldn't be any traffic headed west. Then I can see if I like it better than 105. Although now I'm kinda partial to going that way. Seeing the lake, the Sonic, the little convenience store by the Burger King! And we pig out at Taco Bell without fail everytime we leave on Sunday! I see a junk food pattern here :-[
GOOD NEWS Lady Laura!!! Magnolia now has a TACO BELL, LOL! :o ;D :o You will see it when you get more into Magnolia proper. ;)
Quote from: Bonny Pearl on October 07, 2008, 02:21:39 PM
Quote from: Lady Laura on October 07, 2008, 01:39:51 PM
I may try your suggestion going up Friday since it will be around 8:30, and there shouldn't be any traffic headed west. Then I can see if I like it better than 105. Although now I'm kinda partial to going that way. Seeing the lake, the Sonic, the little convenience store by the Burger King! And we pig out at Taco Bell without fail everytime we leave on Sunday! I see a junk food pattern here :-[
GOOD NEWS Lady Laura!!! Magnolia now has a TACO BELL, LOL! :o ;D :o You will see it when you get more into Magnolia proper. ;)
Crazy, huh? I think getting that Taco Bell and Target shopping center elevates us to "major city" status now! ;)
I live right near that 2978 and 1488 intersection - driving 20 minutes to get to TRF is still too long when you're excited about getting there!
Quote from: Ethan Northforest on October 07, 2008, 02:28:55 PM
Quote from: Bonny Pearl on October 07, 2008, 02:21:39 PM
Quote from: Lady Laura on October 07, 2008, 01:39:51 PM
I may try your suggestion going up Friday since it will be around 8:30, and there shouldn't be any traffic headed west. Then I can see if I like it better than 105. Although now I'm kinda partial to going that way. Seeing the lake, the Sonic, the little convenience store by the Burger King! And we pig out at Taco Bell without fail everytime we leave on Sunday! I see a junk food pattern here :-[
GOOD NEWS Lady Laura!!! Magnolia now has a TACO BELL, LOL! :o ;D :o You will see it when you get more into Magnolia proper. ;)
Crazy, huh? I think getting that Taco Bell and Target shopping center elevates us to "major city" status now! ;)
I live right near that 2978 and 1488 intersection - driving 20 minutes to get to TRF is still too long when you're excited about getting there!
lol! I know what ya mean!
We are on the far west end of Magnolia, about 5 minutes from the fairegrounds and THAT is still too long, lol!
It is too far when your excited about going to fair, but if you need a break or shower it sure is sweet!
Quote from: Yrose on October 07, 2008, 03:03:48 PM
It is too far when your excited about going to fair, but if you need a break or shower it sure is sweet!
'Tis true. There have been a couple of times where being able to run and pick up something left behind or quickly take in some 21st century living has been nice.
Last four days I've driven from Minute Maid Park to 59 to the Toll Road to 45 to 1488 to 1774 without any traffic what so ever...not sure if that helps but it's what I've been doing
Thanks JackGonzo and everyone else for the information. I'll be headed through downtown tomorrow morning at 7:30 and the traffic on 45 headed north usually isn't too bad that time of morning. But I have plenty of options now for when I have to head up to festival at 4:00 on Friday Oct 24. Now that's going to be a congested mess! I'm printing all your posts and googling the areas so if I have to change my route I'll know what I'm doing!
Again, thanks!