As the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Houston-Galveston region, H-GAC is responsible for working with its member jurisdictions to identify, coordinate, and conduct transportation planning projects. Staff solicited transportation planning project proposals and received requests from local governments for planning assistance. H-GAC’s Transportation Policy Council approved the inclusion of various sub-regional mobility and corridor planning studies in the Unified Planning Work Program and allocation of federal funds in the Transportation Improvement Program.

We are requesting authorization to enter into an Advance Funding Agreement with Texas Department of Transportation for $2,700,000 to fund H-GAC’s Sub-regional Mobility and Corridor Planning Studies Bundle consisting of the following seven sub-regional studies:

• Cemetery Road Corridor Study (Galveston County)
• Chambers County Thoroughfare Plan (Chambers County)
• City of Pearland Mobility Study (City of Pearland)
• First Ward/Old 6 Ward Mobility Study (City of Houston)
• FM 518 Corridor Study (City of Pearland)
• Friendswood Lakes Boulevard Corridor Study (City of Friendswood)
• Washington Avenue Corridor Study (City of Houston)

The attached map illustrates the approximate study areas of these projects. Each sub-regional plan will be customized based on the unique needs and conditions of the area. The sub-regional plans enable local, regional, and state governments to create a transportation and land use vision and develop recommendations for multimodal transportation system. Robust stakeholder coordination and public involvement will be conducted in the studies. Outcomes from these studies will be incorporated into regional and local plans and considered for future funding opportunities.

Federal – Surface Transportation Block Grant Funds: $2,700,000

Yes

Request authorization to enter into an Advance Funding Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation in the amount of $2,700,000 to fund the Sub-regional Mobility and Corridor Planning Studies. (Staff Contact: Craig Raborn)