H-GAC Transportation Newsletter: January 2022

Visit the H-GAC Website

View Archived Newsletters

Transportation Policy Council Meeting: Dec. 17

At its December meeting, the Transportation Policy Council approved 17 amendments to the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan and the 2021-24 Transportation Improvement Program. The amendments include advancing the timelines of 10 Houston district projects and one project in Fort Bend County, delaying five projects of various highway, frontage roads, and sidewalk improvements in Houston, Montgomery County, and Waller County, and rescoping a construction project involving the Galveston Pelican Island bridge. The council also approved three amendments to the 2022-23 Unified Planning Work Program. Additionally, the council discussed refining the scoring criteria for the next Call for Projects. A TPC workgroup is developing criteria changes that will better define the rural and urban areas of the eight-county metropolitan planning area and ensure geographic equity is considered in the project selection and prioritization process. The TPC applauded the progress the workgroup has made so far and expects the final draft criteria to be presented for review in early 2022. Towards the end of the meeting, the council received a progress update on the METRORapid Inner Katy Project. The project will extend Silver Line bus rapid transit service to along I-10, providing a direct connection between downtown and uptown Houston. It will also help reduce freeway congestion, improve air quality, and increase transit access to residents living and working along the route. METRO anticipates project engineering to begin in September 2022 and for the line to begin service in 2027. For more information about the project, visit RideMETRO.org/InnerKaty.   The next TPC meeting is scheduled to take place at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 28. The meeting agenda can be viewed online at h-gac.com/transportation-policy-council/meeting-agendas. To view or listen to the video recording of the latest TPC meeting, click here.

H-GAC Transportation Director Craig Raborn Participates in Expert Panel Discussion about the Regional Impacts of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

In late December, H-GAC Transportation Director Craig Raborn participated in an expert panel discussion hosted by the Transportation Advocacy Group - Houston Region. Raborn discussed with regional leaders from the Texas Department of Transportation and METRO the potential regional impacts of the recently signed federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and what's next in transportation for the metropolitan planning area. Raborn has also discussed the potential impacts of the federal infrastructure law in articles by the Houston Chronicle and Community Impact.

H-GAC Annual Meeting Set for Friday, Feb. 4

The H-GAC 2022 Annual Meeting will take place from 8:30 to 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 4 at The Briar Club. Click the above image to view the event page and to register. Or visit www.h-gac.com/events/annual-meeting. We look forward to sharing all we accomplished in 2021 and to an informative discussion on our plans for 2022.

Final Virtual Open House Discussing Updated Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan Takes Place on Wednesday, Jan. 26

The final virtual open house discussing the latest update to the Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan (RCTP) will take place at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26. Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend and learn how H-GAC is putting your ideas of improving our region's public transportation system into action. Updated every five years, the RCTP aims to guide local governments, agencies, and partners on creating more effective, efficient public transportation services across the 13-county region, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, low-income residents, veterans, and youth. The virtual open house is free and open to the public. To register and to learn more about the RCTP, click on the image to the right or visit engage.h-gac.com/RCTP.

Transportation Safety Manager David Fink Provides Safety Tips for Stranded Motorists in Houston Chronicle Article

David Fink, H-GAC transportation safety manager, was featured in a Houston Chronicle story about the hazards stranded motorists face on Texas roads. According to a report from AAA, Texas ranks first in the nation in stranded motorist fatalities, and most of them occur outside the disabled vehicle. Fink encouraged motorists who find themselves stranded along the freeway to stay inside their vehicle, put their seatbelt on, and wait for assistance to arrive.

Photo credit: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

H-GAC's Gulf Coast Regional Tow and Go Program offers no-cost tows to motorists if their vehicle breaks down from mechanical failure. The service area covers all camera-monitored freeways in Harris County, Bellaire, Jersey Village, La Porte, and Humble, Texas. Contact Tow and Go by calling 713-881-3333. To learn more about the Tow and Go program, visit TowandGo.com. Click here to read the Houston Chronicle story.

H-GAC Searching for a New Chief Operating Officer

H-GAC has commenced a national search for a new chief operating officer. This high-ranking position on the senior executive team will oversee the administrative and operational functions of the following planning and service sectors: transportation planning, human services, public services, community and environmental planning, data analytics and research, and data services. In addition to helping our team reach their full potential and take on new challenges, the chief operating officer will have the opportunity to recommend possible restructuring and streamlining of our current departments and programs and to develop an employee talent and opportunity matrix. For more information about the position, view the recruitment brochure available online. To view other open positions at H-GAC, visit www.h-gac.com/careers.

IRS Increases Commuter Benefits Limit for 2022

The Internal Revenue Service recently announced the Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit will increase to $280. The benefit is one of the most effective strategies for influencing commuters to take public transit and vanpools. Both employers and commuters can receive their tax benefits through pre-tax purchasing. Employers may opt to directly subsidize payments up to the newly increased monthly limit. The benefit will provide affordable commuting options as offices begin to reopen. H-GAC's Commute Solutions program provides guidance and information for employers to help them align their commuter benefits program with organizational goals. If you or your employer would like assistance with updating or establishing a commuter benefits program, please contact us, at [email protected]. Visit the IRS website for more information about the adjustments for 2022.

H-GAC Releases New Livable Centers Study Implementation Report Cards

In 2019, H-GAC completed a 10-Year Evaluation and Summary of the Livable Centers Program that recognizes local sponsors' ongoing commitment to the implementation of study recommendations. In 2021, H-GAC staff contacted 31 local sponsors with completed studies for an implementation update. To learn more, visit the Livable Centers implementation page to download the four-page Summary Evaluation Report Update and study area Local Sponsor Report Cards.

Upcoming Meetings

Transportation Policy Council Meeting Friday, Jan. 28  9:30-11 a.m. Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Wednesday, Feb. 16  9:30-11:30 a.m.

H-GAC MPO in the News How the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress could change commutes in Houston Houston-area mobility groups plan for federal funds from $1.2 trillion bill More drivers die outside disabled vehicles in Texas than anywhere else in the country, report finds Hwy. 36A project to be included in Houston-Galveston Area Council’s long-term transportation plan by mid-2022 The Woodlands Township Transit, Energy Corridor District establish pilot commuter bus service Cyclist deaths on the rise in Harris County after grim 2021 Two major initiatives taking place in the Energy Corridor in early 2022 Multiple agencies mull mobility needs in The Woodlands in 2022 Pearland's Hughes Ranch Road expansion reaches substantial completion Engineers, commissioners debate at-grade proposal at Research Forest, Grogans Mill

Follow, Like, and Share on Social Media! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌