Transportation
BY MELISSA ENAJE
H GAC regional plan backed by $140B
The timeline
After incorporating public feedback from surveys and a third round of public meetings, HGAC will provide a public draft project list slated for late 2026.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council is drafting a long-term blueprint for transportation investments through 2050. Residents across H-GAC’s planning region— including Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties—shared feedback during public meetings in July and August. At least $140 billion in local, state and federal funds are expected to be allocated over the next 25 years for projects part of the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan. H-GAC ocials said the community’s perspective is critical to ensuring investments address key needs, such as population growth, sustainability and overall quality of life. Harris County alone is projected to see a 39% population increase by 2050, according to H-GAC data, creating additional demand for reliable infrastructure and expanded mobility options. “Community feedback is at the heart of this plan,” H-GAC Assistant Transportation Director Allie Isbell said. Several road projects currently underway in Cypress and listed in H-GAC’s plan through 2045 include reconstructing and widening roadways along Queenston Boulevard and the Hwy. 290 frontage road, while installing sidewalks on both sides. H-GAC ocials identied Hwy. 290 as part of its high-capacity transit area. According to RTP plan documents, the H-GAC reviews any form of public transportation projects which move large volumes of people through larger vehicles, shorter frequencies and higher speeds, beyond just the construction of new and wider highways.
1 New Fair eld Park and Ride • Timeline: 2030 • Project cost: $35.22 million 2 Queenston Boulevard and Hwy. 290 frontage road widening and sidewalks project • Timeline: 2032-2040 • Project cost: $88 million 3 Fairbanks North Houston Road shared use paths • Timeline: 2030 • Project cost: $14 million H GAC proposed transportation projects in the Cypress area H-GAC is using the updated 2045 plan to identify projects. Three major projects are expected to be carried over to the 2050 RTP.
Regional Transportation Plan 2050 process
Summer 2025: Public meeting Phase 1 Fall 2025: H-GAC goes over goals and objectives Fall 2025: Public meeting Phase 2 Spring 2026: Call for projects; Public meeting Phase 3 Fall 2026: Approved nal draft
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2026
SOURCE: HOUSTONGALVESTON AREA COUNCILCOMMUNITY IMPACT
The outlook
The public’s spending priorities included: • New roads and lanes • Existing roadway maintenance • Demand for travel • Pedestrian and bicycle improvements • Public transit • Enhancing operations with technology Harris County resident Jesse Bellow gave feedback on multimodal transportation. “Residents want options outside of driving their car and sitting in trac and dreading their life,” he said.
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SOURCE: HOUSTON¢GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL¤COMMUNITY IMPACT
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