Political posturing puts Gosling bridge project at an impasse

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, left, and then Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissiner Craig Doyal share the podium during the Highway 249 Extension Tomball Tollway Groundbreaking ceremony in 2014. less Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, left, and then Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissiner Craig Doyal share the podium during the Highway 249 Extension Tomball Tollway Groundbreaking ceremony ... more Photo: Jerry Baker, Freelance Photo: Jerry Baker, Freelance Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Political posturing puts Gosling bridge project at an impasse 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Political gamesmanship may be hindering the progress of a joint project between Harris and Montgomery County to widen the Gosling Road bridge in The Woodlands and ease north-south traffic congestion on the road.

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle says all he needs is Montgomery County's portion of the $7 million-plus project; while Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack says he still is waiting on solid cost estimates and design from his counterpart.

Cagle said "communication difficulty" started sometime ago with Noack's stance against several of his projects, specifically the Texas 249 tollway and direct connectors for the Grand Parkway at Interstate 45, during a meeting regarding the Kuykendahl bridge project over the Montgomery-Harris County line.

"At that meeting, Noack announced he wanted to oppose our 249 project," said Cagle, noting also in attendance at that meeting were then-Precinct 2 Commissioner Craig Doyal and Alex Sutton, with The Woodlands Development Company. "Not really a good way to start a set of negotiations."

However, Noack said his stance was not against Harris County's toll program and Texas 249, but against Montgomery County developing a toll road program which Doyal, now county judge, and fellow court members support.

"Just because Commissioner Cagle doesn't like (my stance) doesn't mean (the Gosling project) is not something we should work together on," Noack said. "What Commissioner Cagle needs to realize is I am elected to protect the interests of Montgomery County not Jack Cagle."

The Gosling Road bridge, which crosses the county line near The Woodlands' Village of Creekside Park, is one of Noack's five funded projects approved by voters in November 2015 as part of the $280 million road bond package. Noack allocated $3.8 million for the county share of the project.

According to information from Noack's office, Cagle's office requested $5.1 million for Montgomery County's share, with 80 percent of those costs being reimbursed to Montgomery County per an Advanced Construction Agreement between Harris County and the Texas Department of Transportation.

Scheduling miscues

Cagle said he has tried to meet with Noack but claims the Precinct 3 commissioner has been "too busy." But Noack said when he reached out to Cagle following his invite, the Precinct 4 commissioner never responded.

According to a Dec. 14 email from Ben Stinsman with Cagle's office to Evan Besong with Noack's office, Cagle requested a meeting with Noack for 10:30 a.m. Jan. 30.

"The topic is regarding cost sharing between Harris and Montgomery counties for the Gosling Road Bridge," the emails states. "Invites to the meeting include the Harris Co. Engineer John Blount, Montgomery Co. Judge Doyle [sic], a representative of the County Attorney's Office and our Pct4 office's director of capital improvement projects Pamela Rocchi."

Besong responded to Stinsman 30 minutes later that Noack was unable that week and asked whether Cagle would consider meeting with Noack at his office off Pruitt Road. Besong asked Stinsman to contact Noack and provided Noack's cell number. Stinsman said he would pass the information along to Cagle.

Later that day, Noack emailed Cagle directly asking him to contact him via cell phone.

"I am happy to meet with you regarding the Gosling projects," Noack stated. "I am not sure why your office would like to include the Montgomery County Judge, but I would assume if it is that important of an issue, Harris County Judge should also attend. I see the Gosling bridge as a precinct matter and I am looking forward to working with you on this project."

Noack continued saying that with the Doyal indictment regarding the Texas Open Meetings Act, he was "more comfortable working directly" with Cagle on the matter and then presenting their plans to their "respective courts for approval."

Doyal, along with Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark and political consultant Marc Davenport, was indicted on a charge of conspiracy to circumvent the Texas Open Meetings Act regarding the November 2015 road bond. A March 27 trial date has been set.

On Dec. 15, Cindy Turski, an executive assistant with The Woodlands Township, sent an email to Noack and Cagle copying several other county and township officials stating township chairman Gordy Bunch would like to set up a meeting regarding an update on the ongoing Kuykendahl Road bridge project and future planning for the Gosling Road bridge project.

An additional two-lane bridge is being constructed on Kuykendahl Road over Spring Creek between Pine Plains Drive and Flintridge Drive. Noack has expressed a desire to wait until that project is completed before starting the Gosling Road bridge project so that two north-south corridors in close proximity at the county line are not affected at the same time.

Besong responded to Turski's group email stating Noack was available the first few weeks of January.

However, in a Dec. 19 letter to Turski, Cagle said, "I respectfully believe there is no need for me to come to Montgomery County to appear before you on this occasion. The Kuykendahl Bridge, being managed by the Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1, is under construction and is scheduled for completion by May 17, 2017. On the Gosling Bridge, Harris County continues to await a check in the amount of $5.1 million dollars from Montgomery County. Of those funds, Montgomery County, after TxDOT gives its anticipated reimbursement, will receive a reimbursement of $3.4 million, making the total cost of the project to Montgomery County $1.7 million.

"Harris County would appreciate the assistance that your entity may lend, if any, in encouraging Montgomery County to send us the check."

Bunch said Cagle's response was "bizarre."

"We have an entirely new board of directors and I asked our staff to reach out to Commissioners Cagle and Noack," said Bunch, adding he wants to meet with the men regarding mutual projects, not just Gosling Road. "I would think Commissioners Noack and Cagle would like to reach out to the township."

Bunch said he will pursue a meeting with Cagle after the first of the year.

"We are still interested in meeting with Commissioner Cagle despite this letter," Bunch said.

Moving forward

Cagle said he is willing to move forward with the project but suggested he and Noack back out of the discussions and allow County Judge Ed Emmett and Doyal to handle the situation moving forward.

"We are ready," said Cagle, adding he is concerned with the delay since the widening of Gosling Road in Harris County was moving forward and the widening of Gosling Road in Montgomery County is complete. "We might need to let the judges handle it. I will gladly defer, out of my budget, the funds we need for Judge Emmett to make this happen."

Doyal said Cagle had contacted him concerned about working with Noack and asked for his help in getting the project done.

"I'm glad to try and do it," Doyal said. "The problem is Commissioner Noack has alienated every member of our court and now is beginning to alienate members of other counties. His questionable actions and comments are costing the taxpayers time and money."

Noack called the situation purely political.

"If Doyal and Cagle want to play politics because of my stance on the 249 tollway, that shows how out of touch they are," Noack said. "I work for the people, not he politicians.

"My office door is always open to Commissioner Cagle. I hope he is agreeable to meet within the next two weeks at my office. That way, we can address the issue of the bridge with The Woodlands Township at the same time."