Transportation
BY JESSICA SHORTEN
Houston mayor leans into regional mobility partnerships
Houston Mayor John Whitmire emphasized regional partnerships as part of the plan to con- tinue addressing mobility needs across the Greater Houston area during the Transportation Advocacy Group’s State of Mobility conference May 22. Two-minute impact The Transportation Advocacy Group, or TAGHouston, brings together state and local government, transit authorities and engineers to discuss transportation project challenges and opportunities across the Houston region. Whitmire said he believes partnerships with surrounding counties and the Houston-Galveston Area Council are crucial to advancing transportation projects in the Houston region. “One of the rst missions I was on when I was sworn in is to repair the relationship with our region,” Whitmire said. “We’re not going to get out of this challenge without collaboration. ... We all know we have a great city, great people, but like all
major cities, we have challenges.” Whitmire said the city has already begun part- nering with Lesley Briones, Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner, and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey to address joint mobility needs in their precincts. Whitmire said Ramsey agreed to split the cost of repairs to city roads within his precinct to help oset the burden on the city while still making progress on roadway improvements. Next steps Whitmire said to continue addressing mobility issues the region also needs to focus on addressing public safety and water infrastructure issues such as the East Water Purication Plant. Funding for road projects will be another large hurdle, Whitmire said, referencing eliminating the city’s previously projected $330 million shortfall by reducing vacant positions, and consolidating service and call centers in the city.
Proposed projects Houston-Galveston Area Council’s 2025-28 Transportation Improvement Plan includes local projects. 1 Greenhouse Road Adding a six-lane underpass with paths under Hwy. 290 and the railroad from Mound to Skinner roads • Timeline: iscal year 2025-26 • Cost: $53.78 million 2 Grand Parkway Widening to six lanes from Hwy. 290 to I-10 • Timeline: FY 2026-27 • Cost: $204.13 million 3 Hwy. 290 Park and Ride Adding a ramp for Hwy. 290 HOV lane access • Timeline: FY 2027-28 • Cost: $48.54 million 4 Hwy. 6 and FM 529 Intersection improvements, including dual turn lanes • Timeline: FY 2031-32 • Cost: $11.91 million
SOURCE: HOUSTONGALVESTON AREA COUNCILCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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