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Fighting for Funding in Houston
A February proposal before the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Transportation Policy Council (TPC) called for cuts to bike, pedestrian and transit funding in the region’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2011-2014. Under the proposal, CMAQ and STP MM funds that were previously programmed for active transportation projects and livable centers would be reallocated for road expansion in the region.
Upset that the TPC would stray from language in the 2035 Transportation Plan, stating that roadway spending should make up no more than 55% of regional transportation infrastructure spending, advocates in the Houston area organized. Houston Tomorrow started an online petition and joined Bike Houston and other area cyclists at the TPC’s February 25th meeting to present the petition and insist that this funding be preserved.
Thanks to these hardworking advocates there has been a temporary reprieve. City of Houston Council member Sue Lovell motioned for a delay of 30 days so that TPC members could further investigate options and hear from their constituents. See Houston Tomorrow’s ongoing blog coverage here.
While significant progress has been made, pressure on the TPC and Houston-Galvelston Area elected leaders is still needed. League President Andy Clarke has written this letter to TPC members asking for the preservation of these funds for bicycling and other active transportation projects. Houston area cyclists can still help save this critical funding by signing on to this petition. Cyclists are also encouraged to attend the TPC’s next meeting March 25th at 9:30 am in the H-GAC building at 3555 Timmons on the 2nd floor in Conference Room A.
Jeff Peel
State and Local Advocacy Coordinator
Peel joined the League in March 2008 as a Program Specialist for the Bicycle Friendly Communities program. Peel has a BA in American Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi.
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March 17th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Divert more money for roads from active transportation projects? – Houston we have a problem.
March 18th, 2011 at 10:10 am
In 2009, I biked around Houston, primarily within the city boundaries as well as in various areas in Harris County.
I had a wonderful time spending my budgeted tourist dollars eating and purchasing goods as well as bicylcing on the roadways and on trails.
I used Houston’s wonderful “Bikeway Program Map” in conjunction with the “Houston Metro ‘Bus Rail’ System Map” to wander in to areas not normally visited by tourists.
Yes, the roadways need more dedicated bike lanes. Yes, the buses system can be improved. Yes, the rail program definitely needs to be extended.
On my morning and late afternoon rides I encountered many bicycle commuters. Far more than I would have expected in a city and county that is proud of its automobile society.
What the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Transportation Policy Council really has to do is spend some TEP/TIP program money to do a systematic and valid count of bicyclists and pedestrians using the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project: Forms developed by Altia Planning form. However the H-GACTPC must assure that its counts are valid and reliable.
Bicyclist tourist spend money and Houston can be a major bicycle touring destination if it improves its roadway facilities.
By cutting funds for bicycle, pedestrian, and public transit facilities the Council is not serving all of Houston’s citizens no less all of its residents.
I intend to visit Houston once again in November, 2011. This time spending at least one month bicycle touring in Houston, Galveston, and Harris County.
March 18th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
[...] biking enthusiasts in Texas mobilized against the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Transportation Policy Council’s plan to decrease bike, [...]