Cypress Edition | June 2025

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 on 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. Whit- mire said 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. “I need your help in all the organizations that you go back to. I can’t do it alone,” Whitmire • Timeline: FY 2026-27 • Cost: $204.13 million • Funding source: state 3 Hwy. 290 Park and Ride Adding a ramp for Hwy. 290 HOV lane access • Timeline: FY 2027-28 • Cost: $48.54 million • Funding sources: local, federal 4 Hwy. 6 and FM 529 Intersection improvements, including dual turn lanes and new pedestrian/bike paths • Timeline: FY 2031-32 Proposed projects According to the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Plan, there are six projects needed in the Cy-Fair area by 2028. 1 Greenhouse Road Construction a six-lane underpass with pedestrian/ bike paths under Hwy. 290 and the railroad from Mound Road to Skinner Road • Timeline: iscal year 2025-26 • Cost: $53.78 million • Funding sources: local, federal 2 Grand Parkway Widening to six lanes from Hwy. 290 to I-10

OLD LOUETTA RD.

SKINNER RD.

290

LOUETTA RD.

249

MOUND RD.

1960

99 TOLL

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD

529

• Cost: $11.91 million • Funding sources: state, federal 5 Louetta Road Widening from four lanes to six lanes between Hwy. 249 and Old Louetta Road • Timeline: FY 2027-28 • Cost: $5.97 million • Funding source: local

SOURCE: HOUSTONGALVESTON AREA COUNCILCOMMUNITY IMPACT

said. “We have an opportunity like never before, and understand mobility is what really brings us together, but it’s bigger than mobility. ... Let’s come together; let’s lobby for better mobility transportation, but we’ve got to take an interest in city government. ... You’ve got to realize it’s going to be so important going forward.”

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