Primary Department: County Engineer
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Milton Rahman, PhD, P.E., PMP, CFM, ENV SP, County Engineer
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request by the Office of the County Engineer for approval to submit an application to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for grant funds in the amount of $2,137,967, with no required match, for the FY 2025 Highway Safety Improvement Program (Westheimer Access Trail Project, Precinct 4).
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Background and Discussion:
The Highway Safety Act of 1966 established the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) to reduce the number and severity of highway-related crashes. The TxDOT administers the HSIP and released an invitation for grant applications for FY 2025. The Office of the County Engineer submitted a grant application for the Hike and Bike Trail - Westheimer Access Trail project requesting federal funding in the amount of $2,137,967 in partnership with Precinct 4.
The TxDOT’s crash data reveals serious safety issues for pedestrians and cyclists along the Highway 6 corridor between Briar Forest and Westheimer Road. From 2021 to 2023, 11 crashes were reported, involving 10 pedestrians and one cyclist. These incidents resulted in five fatalities, three suspected serious injuries, and three suspected minor injuries. Among the minor injuries was a 19-year-old female.
The Hike and Bike Trail - Westheimer Access Trail Project, located in Precinct 4 includes several key enhancements. These upgrades include the construction of a 10-foot-wide asphalt trail for hiking and biking, spanning approximately 8,700 linear feet from Westheimer Road to Noble Road. An optional component of the project includes an asphalt parking lot covering approximately 31,000 square feet, connected to the main trail via 120 linear feet of 10-foot-wide pathway.
Expected Impact:
Applying for funding from the HSIP will enable Harris County to secure $2,137,967 in federal grant funding. This funding will be used to implement safety improvements for the Hike and Bike Trail - Westheimer Access Trail Project.
Alternative Options:
If Harris County does not submit an application to TxDOT for the HSIP funding, the project may have to be implemented using full local funding.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.
County Strategic Plan Objective: F: Ensure safety and security for all using the county’s transportation network in alignment with the County’s Vision Zero plan.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): F1: Strengthen the County’s commitment to Vision Zero principles and goals.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: N/A
Prior Court Action (if any): N/A
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Location: Hwy 6 Corridor from Briar Forest to Westheimer Road
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Precinct 4
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
FY 2025 Highway Safety improvement Program (HSIP) |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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$2,137,967 |
3 Years |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
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$2,137,967 |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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Anticipated Court Date: 3/27/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 8/31/2028
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Patrick Mandapaka, PhD, AICP, Director of Community Planning and Transportation, Harris County Engineering
Attachments (if applicable): FY-25 HSIP Application