Residents in the eight counties that make up the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s planning areas—Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller—are being asked for input regarding the blueprint for future transportation investments and improvements across the region through the year 2050. At least $140 billion in local, state and federal funds are budgeted for transportation planning in the region, officials said.
What they’re saying
“These public meetings are an opportunity for residents to tell us what concerns they have related to transportation today and what they would like to see change in the future,” H-GAC Assistant Transportation Director Allie Isbell said in a statement, “It is essential that we begin planning for the future now.”
Officials are looking for the public’s input to meet the region’s evolving transportation needs, including accommodations for a projected 39% population growth by 2050 in Harris County alone.
The details
Through the Regional Transportation Plan 2050, which includes improvements to roadways, public transit, hike, bike and sidewalk connectivity projects, public input will help the organization prioritize how funding will be spent to support regional growth, safety, sustainability and quality of life, according to officials.
Houston resident Jesse Bellow attended the July 31 Harris County public meeting and participated at one of the interactive activities setup by H-GAC, which included locating various sites on a map placed on tables and indicating what could be improved.
Bellow said he hoped for more multimodal transportation options beyond driving such as buses and bikes to avoid traffic congestion. He lives close to Memorial Park and suggested expanding the Houston rail system to Hobby Airport.
“There’s big demand with Hobby Airport,” Bellow said. “Millions of people go into Hobby Airport, and the rails are stopped just a few miles short of there.”
Going forward
Residents are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming August in-person or virtual meetings. The next public meetings are being held in both Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, but residents from any of the eight metropolitan areas are invited, officials said. The virtual public meeting is set for Aug. 12 from 6:30-8 p.m. More information can be found on the H-GAC website.
Also of note
H-GAC updates the regional transportation plan every four years. A list of transportation projects currently being serviced by H-GAC can be found here.
If the full content does not display, visit the article originally published on this site
