A new traffic impact guideline passed by Harris County commissioners in May will require developers to take more responsibility when it comes to road infrastructure projects, marking a shift in how developers are required to approach new projects in the county.

Eric Heppen is an engineer and senior project manager with Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s office. He said during a June 5 Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce committee meeting that the new guidelines:

• Require developers to construct full boulevard sections or multiple lanes of roads and complete infrastructure upfront
• Address infrastructure gaps to prevent situations where developers create demand for infrastructure improvements without contributing to the overall project costs

The context

Precinct 3 maintains nearly 6,800 miles of roadway and associated bridges throughout the area and has $31.7 million in Cypress-area transportation projects under construction as part of its Capital Improvement Program and another $84.4 million in the design phase, Heppen said. He said the new guidelines will help ensure the county will be able to find better uses for its mobility dollars.

Harris County mobility funds are designated for transportation and infrastructure projects throughout the county, including road maintenance and capital improvement projects. These funds are primarily sourced from the Harris County Toll Road Authority and are split between precincts to be used for various mobility-related projects, county officials said.

“You have been watching us march up and down Greenhouse Road for the last 10 years constructing the second two lanes,” he said. “With the new traffic impact guidelines, the county will not be required to do it—the developer would be required to do it.”