Transportation Policy Council Meeting: Oct. 22 |
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At its October meeting, the Transportation Policy Council approved the members of the TPC Nominating Committee that will recommend next year's candidates for officers and at-large positions on the council and on the Transportation Advisory Committee.
As informational items, the council received updates regarding the next Call for Projects, the Southeast Harris County Subregional Study, and the Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan. H-GAC staff presented the process for selecting projects considered for investment priority in the next Regional Transportation Plan. It will be divided into three phases: short-range projects that would begin construction or be implemented in fiscal years 2024-2027; medium-range projects that would begin construction or be implemented in fiscal years 2028-2031; and long-range projects that are planned to be built or implemented in years after 2032. The staff is finalizing the Call for Projects selection criteria and hopes to present it to the TPC for action in the early spring of 2022.
The Southeast Harris County Subregional Study is in its final stages and has provided some initial recommendations after the study group's examination of the study area - which includes neighborhoods in Houston, South Houston, Pasadena, Deer Park, and La Porte - and receiving public feedback via surveys and public meetings. Initial recommendations include: roadway safety enhancements, such as pavement markings, lighting, and median upgrades; intersection capacity improvements, such as signal timing and lane configuration; increased mobility options, including shared use paths and public transportation; and accessibility upgrades, including sidewalk ramps and pedestrian crossing signals. The study group hopes to gather additional feedback before the study concludes in May 2022.
Meanwhile, the Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan, H-GAC's five-year plan to provide more efficient and effective public transportation services across the entire 13-county region, is undergoing an update for 2022-2026. H-GAC staff discussed the public input they have received so far through outreach efforts, including focus groups held last month. Opinions indicate that residents in the region desire high-quality public transit, but they do not believe they currently have it. Notable barriers the respondents identified included information gaps on how to access public transit, nonexistent or inconvenient service, infrequent or unreliable service, and a lack of adequate transit amenities, such as covered shelters at stops. Based on this feedback, H-GAC staff are developing draft recommendations that will be presented for public comment in early 2022.
Lastly, the council approved a resolution recognizing the service of outgoing TPC member John Blount. Blount served Harris County for more than 34 years, starting as an inspector and eventually advancing to director of the engineering department. He served on the council as an alternate member since 2020.
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H-GAC Commemorated 55 Years of Service Excellence and Regional Cooperation at Special Symposium on Oct. 15 |
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H-GAC commemorated its 55th anniversary as a special symposium on Oct. 15 at The Briar Club. The theme of the symposium was "Growing Stronger Together through Regionalism." Chuck Wemple, executive director of H-GAC, discussed with H-GAC board members and officers the strengths of regionalism and the evolution of technology in the 13-county H-GAC region during two panel discussions.
The event highlight was the afternoon keynote speech by Renu Khator, chancellor of the University of Houston System and president of the University of Houston, where she championed collaboration and cooperation with local leaders, fellow postsecondary education institutions, community organizations, and businesses to provide exceptional, accessible education and research that will drive innovation, prosperity, and quality of life for our more than 7 million residents and growing.
H-GAC also premiered a special video highlighting the agency's mission and achievements. The symposium was developed and led by the H-GAC communications team with the gracious assistance of members of the intergovernmental relations team. For more information about H-GAC's 55th anniversary, visit h-gac.com/55th-anniversary.
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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Passage Expected to Bring about $35 Billion in Funding for Transportation Projects throughout Texas |
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The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is expected to bring about $35 billion to the state over the next five years to launch transportation and infrastructure projects as well as advance existing projects.
Here is the breakdown of the funds that Texas is expected to receive based on federal estimates:
- Federal highway programs: $26.9 billion
- Public transportation: $3.3 billion
- Drinking water infrastructure (and removing lead pipes): $2.9 billion
- Airports: $1.2 billion
- Bridge replacement and repairs: $537 million
- Electric vehicle charging network: $408 million
- Broadband expansion: $100 million
- Wildfire protection: $53 million
- Cyberattacks protection: $42 million
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Work Continues on Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan Updates |
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The Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan (RCTP), H-GAC's five-year plan to provide more efficient and effective public transportation services across the entire 13-county region, is undergoing an update for 2022-2026. H-GAC hosted several focus group meetings in October to get in-depth input from community members about their public transportation needs and where improvements are needed in their neighborhoods.
Feedback received from these focus groups revealed that while residents desire high-quality public transit, few believe it is currently available to them. Notable barriers the group members identified included information gaps on how to access public transit, nonexistent or inconvenient service, infrequent or unreliable service, and a lack of adequate transit amenities, such as covered shelters at stops. Based on this feedback, H-GAC staff are developing draft recommendations that will be presented at public meetings in early 2022.
Residents and stakeholders can get the latest information regarding the RCTP by visiting engage.h-gac.com/RCTP. Bookmark the page and check back frequently for updates. The final RCTP report is expected to be ready in the spring of 2022.
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H-GAC Fall Planning Workshop to Focus on Growing Safe, Strong, Kid-Friendly Communities |
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H-GAC's Fall Planning Workshop will take place 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3. The topic will be "Growing Kid-Friendly Communities," with a focus on safety and strong communities.
The Fall Planning Workshop is an annual workshop for local governments featuring presentations on planning best practices for communities. For more information, contact Cheryl Mergo.
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Preparing for a Hurricane Can Prepare You for Other Severe Weather |
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Hurricane season officially ends at the end of November. However, the region is still vulnerable to other types of severe weather, such as severe storms, flooding events, unexpected power outages, and winter storms. Many of the strategies used to prepare for a hurricane are also useful in preparing for these other types of severe weather.
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When Driving This Holiday Season, Make Safety a Top Priority |
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As more people take to the roads to travel during the holiday season, H-GAC would like to remind drivers to practice safe habits and use caution when traversing our roads. The region has experienced tremendous population growth and a corresponding increase in traffic-related injuries and deaths. Last year, traffic fatalities increased by 7% in Texas and by 11% in the eight-county metropolitan planning area. Improving traffic safety will take every one of us working together. Otherwise, we will continue to pay the price.
Visit h-gac.com/paytheprice for tips and resources on how you can help improve transportation safety in the region.
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Friday, Nov. 19, 2021
9:30-11 a.m.
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Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021
9:30-11 a.m.
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