TPC to vote on gutting walk, bike, and livability projects
To fund road projects
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A proposal to limit bike, pedestrian, and livability funding in the 2011 Transportation Improvement Program will come before the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Transportation Policy Council (TPC) this Friday, February 25, at a public meeting in the H-GAC building at 3555 Timmons on the 2nd floor in Conference Room A.
The proposal calls for increasing road and freight spending while limiting projects that would improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, transit access, livable centers studies, and other projects listed as “Alternative Modes.” Particular projects to be eliminated from the TIP are not yet determined, but all proposed projects are presumably listed in the Preliminary Project Scoping (pdf) provided by H-GAC. Projects to be cut would include things like walkability projects in Midtown and a pedestrian realm project to provide better sidewalks and neighborhood access to light rail along the future East End Light Rail Line.
The proposal for shifting spending in the TIP does not appear to match the objectives or spending targets of the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan. Further, the code of federal regulations governing the RTP and TIP process mandates public involvement both early and continuously in key decisions in the programming process, but no such opportunity seems to have been presented to the public on this proposal.
Sections of the Houston Area Survey on transportation priorities and spending priorities to better plan for growth indicate that the priorities of residents of the Houston region are not aligned with the proposed changes to the 2011 TIP.
Bike Houston is organizing local opposition to this plan as well as other groups expected to publicly oppose the changes over the coming days.
Comments
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) said:
Which agenda item is this? Looks as if it might be 6A, but when I click it I get a PDF that reads “There are no TPC amendments at this time.” I also looked at the TIP Call for Projects but don’t see anything about limiting alternative modes.
Posted on Feb 22, 11 at 8:40 am
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) said:
Sounds like in government today, anything the public is in favor of can be blithely disregarded by officialdom.
Liveability has had strong support in Houston since before the days of Blueprint Houston public involvement in planning for Houston’s future. Do our voices mean nothing?
Is it about cronyism with highway construction contractors? Same as Katy Prairie Segment E—no regard for public wishes.
Posted on Feb 22, 11 at 10:29 am
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) said:
proposals to limit pedestrian and bike infrastructure and transit access are exactly opposite to the direction Houston should be moving to humanize the city by reducing traffic congestion and emissions, oil consumption and a sedentary lifestyle.
Posted on Feb 22, 11 at 3:06 pm
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) said:
I would love to see a bike trail next to the railroad ROW along 1093 all the way out past Fulshear to Simonton! This is currently slated for future light rail use, but does this mean that funding for the rail will also be cut?? I realize this was planned for the distant future, but it seems the priorities are changing with this proposal for shifting funds to more roadways. Don’t they see that providing for other forms of transportation (including biking) and safe recreational paths all work together to make a place more desireable to live, therefore bringing in more people and money, etc., not to mention being better for the environment and the health of the residents here? I too sense a “good ole boys” problem…..
Posted on Feb 23, 11 at 4:05 pm
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) said:
Over the past few years the quality of life in Houston has increased due to the bike and walking trails that have been added. There is a since of community knowing that I can ride or jog from one neighborhood to another. I can’t believe how often I am on one of the trails and I run into a friend. The trails are making Houston a much friendlier choose for people looking for a new place to live. With Houston still being one of the larger cities that is still somewhat growing DON’T STOP one of the best things we have going for us. Please support the BIKE PROJECTS. It is obvious that our residents love to ride bikes, look at all the successful charity rides we have. Lets KEEP GROWING… continue to grow the bike lanes/parks and anything for more outdoor activities. Don’t forget we are the ones that vote you in.. now support us! PLEASE!
Thanks.
Local cyclist
Posted on Feb 24, 11 at 3:18 am
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) said:
With the rash of accidents with cyclist in Houston city (memorial park) area. I can not believe that human safety and the promotion of health is not one of the main issues for the city to address, in order to improve the quality of life for the people in the city. Why would anyone want to move closer to town if there is not any safe means to move around the city beside gas guzzling vehicles.
Posted on Feb 24, 11 at 10:07 am
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) said:
Houston is the 2nd largest city in the United States yet we have no adequate public transportation system. We should be able to travel from the airports to downtown Houston and then to Galveston beach by rail yet this city is far behind times.
What a shame.
Posted on Mar 21, 11 at 3:46 pm
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Dorothy Miller said:
What good is it to have roads but no neighborhoods for people to live in? The concepts and proposals put forth by the Livability Studies are perfect fits for what Houston should be, a place of commerce AND life in the close in neighborhoods. Without a public transportation system that is reliable and affordable, no one, whether they live in the city or in the suburbs will be able to afford to move further than their feet to go to work.
Posted on Feb 22, 11 at 6:17 am