Region’s stimulus money falling into place

Livable Centers get $15m

Steve Hawley, Feb 12, 10.

The Houston-Galveston region has funded or approved for funding $584 million in stimulus projects, including $106 million for transit projects and $5 million each for three livable centers, according to a Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) document. Many of the projects cost lest than originally anticipated, often because companies were willing to offer low bids in such a weak economy, which allowed H-GAC to approve certain contingency projects that would not have received money otherwise.

Some $223 million in projects, including $181 million for Segment E of the Grand Parkway, were removed from consideration and replaced by contingency projects. However, $30 million will be spent to construct direct connectors between IH-10 and the existing section of the Grand Parkway just to the south, which could help pave the way for the future construction of Segment E. Segment E, which would run through the undeveloped and environmentally sensitive Katy Prairie, drew heavy criticism from local groups, as well as state and federal agencies, for its anticipated environmental impacts.

Three H-GAC Livable Centers projects which had first appeared on a contingency list last summer - the East End, Upper Kirby, and Uptown - all will receive funding. According to the H-GAC website, the Livable Centers program is designed for planning and implementing “walkable, mixed-use places that provide multimodal transportation options, improve environmental quality and promote economic development.” The East End, Upper Kirby, and Uptown will all be connected within the next few years by the light rail expansion.

The largest transit expenditure was $64 million to buy 19 new light rail vehicles for the Main Street line, followed by $22 million to improve the High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes in Houston.

Most of the region’s stimulus money has already been let to contract, and the remaining money will be let no later than June.