Pedestrian crosswalk initiative , mosquito season safety, new road projects, hurricane preparedness guide and more!

Greetings!

Commissioner Noack Promotes Pedestrian Crosswalk Safety

July 12 - Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack is partnering with local law enforcement to increase awareness of crosswalk safety and laws for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in the community.

Since 2015, there have been more than 60 reported motor-vehicle accidents involving pedestrians and bikers in South Montgomery County; and as the new school year approaches, Commissioner Noack is urging drivers and pedestrians to pay attention at crosswalks.

“The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office will be working closely with Commissioner Noack’s office, as well as pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists alike, to increase safety and reduce accidents,” Sheriff Rand Henderson said.

The Precinct 3 traffic operations team is installing pedestrian crossing signs in school zones and at non-signalized intersections precinctwide to reinforce the existing laws in the Texas Transportation Code. The traffic operations team also is working to install more flashing yellow lights in school zones that indicate when a school zone speed limit is in effect.

“The safety of the public is a top priority for me,” Commissioner Noack said. “Properly using crosswalks is a two-way street, with safety responsibilities falling on motorists and pedestrians alike.”

The Texas Transportation Code (Chapter 552.003) states that the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway in a crosswalk if there is no traffic control signal in place or in operation.

To read the entire pedestrian section of the Transportation Code, visit statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.552.htm .

“Our office already increases traffic enforcements efforts upon the return of each school year,” Precinct 3 Constable Ryan Gable said. “This project by Commissioner Noack’s office will aide us greatly in that endeavor.”

Commissioner Noack’s office also is working on improving sight lines and providing optimal visibility at these intersections by clearing excess debris, brush and greenery hanging down in the right of way.

“These improvements will increase safety of students walking and biking as they return to school in the coming weeks,” Commissioner Noack said. “With the constant growth in South Montgomery County, it is important that we stay proactive in ensuring that the residents are safe as they walk and bike.”

State Law: Yield to Pedestrians

Turning vehicles yield to pedesrians

South County Mosquito Abatement

West Nile positive mosquito samples spike in Montgomery County

July 6-Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack’s Mosquito Abatement Department has indicated that West Nile activity this year is more widespread than in recent seasons.

So far, the mosquito abatement team reports that approximately one-third (25 of 78) of its operational zones have at least one positive mosquito sample. There have been 38 positive samples collected in Montgomery County, of which 28 are in The Woodlands.

We urge residents to take precautions while outdoors and think WET.

Remember to Think WET!

Wear repellent
Eliminate standing water
Treat water you can’t eliminate

2018 Hurricane Season Preparedness Guide

Hurricane season started June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30.

It is vital for your family/household to have a plan in place. Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes. You must know how to contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.

Step 1: Put together a plan by discussing these questions:

How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?

Montgomery County residents can receive emergency alerts and notifications by signing up for ALERT MCTX.
Residents also are strongly encouraged to download the READYMCTX for Android or Iphone.

What is my family/household communication plan?

Download the Family Plan fillable PDF here.
Make sure everyone in your family/household carries a copy of the completed form in his or her backpack, purse or wallet.

Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.

As you prepare, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets and specific needs such as the operation of durable medical equipment.

Keep in mind these factors when developing your plan:
Different ages of members within your household
Responsibilities for assisting others
Locations frequented
Dietary needs
Medical needs, including prescriptions and equipment
Disabilities or access and functional needs, including devices and equipment
Languages spoken
Cultural and religious considerations
Pets or service animals
Households with school-aged children

Step 3: Stock up on emergency supplies.

You might be without power and drinkable water for an undetermined amount of time during and after the storm. It is important to at least, have these items:

Seven-day supply of water (1 gallon per person per day)
Seven-day supply of non-perishable food (for each family member)
Manual can opener
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Personal ID
Camp stove with fuel or other nonelectric cooking device
Cell phones & portable chargers
Map of your area and list of emergency shelters
First Aid Kit with manual
Cash
Download the Montgomery County full Emergency Supply Kit check list here.

Home Preparation Tips:

Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed of diseased and dead wood,
Cover all large windows and patio doors with securely fastened storm shutters made from 5/8" thick plywood or greater
Secure doors using a security deadbolt lock with 1" minimum bolt throw length.
Fill available gasoline containers, keep them full until the end of the hurricane season.
Bring outdoor furniture, toys, garbage cans, potted plants, garden tools, etc. inside.

Rayford Road Safety and Mobility Project

Progress continues on Rayford Road project

The Rayford Road widening and overpass project continues to make progress and remains on schedule for completion by summer 2019.

With the decks now poured on the Union Pacific Railroad bridge, crews are moving forward with installation of temporary retaining walls and the placement of concrete structures and rails. The westbound lanes of the bridge are projected to be open by late September.

Crews have also laid the groundwork for the Aldine Westfield Road extension by placing the base for future pavement. Work in this area will be on hold for the next few weeks, as crews move forward with storm sewer installations in various locations.

Temporary traffic shifts on Rayford Road:

The outside westbound lane on Rayford Road is closed from the UPRR to Geneva Drive in order for crews to place concrete barrier as they install 1,900 linear feet of concrete boxes for drainage along the westbound side of the road.

There are still two open lanes of traffic in each direction as the center turn lane is being utilized as a westbound travel lane. The installation of the box culverts is anticipated to take a minimum of six weeks. Once the box culverts are installed, Rayford Road will be widened on the westbound side.

Crews installing drainage infrastructure along Rayford Road.

The contractor pouring concrete at Wild Rose and Rayford Road.

Wild Rose Intersection and Realignment:

The dedicated center left-turn lane on Rayford Road at the intersection with Wild Rose will be changed to an eastbound inside lane as concrete barriers are extended farther west on the south side of Rayford Road to just west of Wild Rose, with the outside eastbound lane closed.
There no longer will be a dedicated left-turn lane into Faith United Methodist Church from eastbound Rayford Road.
The south turn onto Wild Rose, along with the intersection and traffic light will shift slightly to the west of its existing location. The intersection realignment should be in place by the end of August.

Rayford Road widening (from Wild Rose to West Hawthorne Drive):

The outside eastbound lane of Rayford Road from west of Wild Rose to the Drainage District 6 bridge (west of Aldine Westfield) is closed for storm sewer installation followed by road widening.
Once the eastbound roadwork is completed, the concrete barriers will be shifted to the north side of Rayford Road, closing the outside westbound lane, for road widening along the same stretch.
This part of the project is expected to take three to four months.

Alternating Lane Closures as Needed:

Eastbound and westbound temporary lane closures will occur from Richards Road to the Grand Parkway, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, for the duration of the project (there may be some Saturday lane closures for utility work).

Thank you for your patience while construction crews continue to work as quickly and safely as possible. We recognize that construction can cause inconveniences, and we appreciate your understanding during this process. Please follow all road signs, pay attention to barriers and watch for crew members in the right of way.

Plan ahead, stay alert and drive safely!

For additional information, visit: www.precinct3.org/rayford-road/

Sign up for email updates here, and please direct questions regarding the project via email to [email protected] or phone at (281) 624-6326.

Contracts awarded for Birnham Woods and Elan Boulevard

July 10- Commissioner James Noack continues efforts to improve mobility in Precinct 3 as Montgomery County Commissioners Court awarded contracts for the Elan Boulevard and Birnham Woods Drive widening projects Tuesday.

“These two projects are important for our office to get started as soon as possible,” Commissioner Noack said. “The east side of Precinct 3 is one of the fastest-growing areas in the county, and we must stay ahead of the curve to make sure mobility for those residents remains safe and easy.”

These two projects along with the ongoing Rayford Road widening project were identified in the South Montgomery County Mobility study as high-priority needs.