The context
The $18.77 billion Transportation Improvement Plan is a four-year outline for roadway and public transportation projects that have been approved for federal and state funding, and are expected to begin construction within the four-year time period, Community Impact reported.
The last TIP plan was compiled in 2022 and covered the fiscal year time period from 2023-26, according to H-GAC materials.
The projects
According to the TIP proposal, the four-year plan features multiple projects that could happen in both the Katy and Fulshear areas, including:
1. I-10
Restripe and widen I-10 to add two managed lanes to 10-lane highway from Mason Road to the Fort Bend County line; reconstruct and widen from six to 10 lanes, adding two managed lanes and two main lanes from the Fort Bend County/Harris County line to the Fort Bend County/Waller County line, spit into two projects; add two east and westbound frontage roads between Cane Island Parkway and the Waller County line; construct two two-lane frontage roads east and westbound from the Fort Bend County line to FM 359
- Estimated cost: $545.13 million
- TIP allocation: $193.48 million
- Timeline: beginning in fiscal year 2024-25
Widen the tollway from four to six lanes between I-10 and Hwy. 290, split into two projects
- Estimated cost: $204.13 million
- TIP allocation: $186.21 million
- Timeline: beginning FY 2025-26
Three projects will reconstruct and widen the two-lane road to four or six lanes, depending on the area, between the Grand Parkway and FM 362.
- Estimated cost: $206.26 million
- TIP allocation: $109.66 million
- Timeline: beginning in FY 2026-27
Reconstruct four lanes and make operational improvements between the Waller County line and FM 1463; widen the road from two to four lanes between the Waller County/Fort Bend County line and FM 2855
- Estimated cost: $60.79 million
- TIP allocation: $35 million
- Timeline: beginning in FY 2027-28
Extend the Westpark Tollway with four lanes from its end west of FM 723 to east of Texas Heritage Parkway, according to the interactive map; the project is split into two
- Estimated cost: $76.91 million
- TIP allocation: $72 million
- Timeline: beginning in FY 2024-25
Construct two direct connectors between the Grand Parkway and Westpark Tollway
- Estimated cost: $38.4 million
- TIP allocation: $38.4 million
- Timeline: beginning in FY 2024-25
Additionally, some projects won’t be listed in the TIP but could happen if and when federal funding is made available, including:
7. Clay Road
Widen from two to four lanes between Porter and Peek roads
- Estimated cost: $6.71 million
- Timeline: beginning in FY 2026-27
Add a hike and bike trail from Patterson to the Cullen Park Trail
- Estimated cost: $4.99 million
- Timeline: beginning in FY 2026-27
Acquire six large transit vehicles for use at the park and ride, which is under construction
- Estimated cost: $1.25 million
- Timeline: beginning in FY 2025-26
H-GAC will accept public comments from local governmental agencies, counties and the public on the proposed list of projects for the 2025-28 TIP through April 24. Public comments can be submitted online through the H-GAC comment portal.
H-GAC officials said the project list will be finalized and funding allocated in May based on any changes made, Community Impact reported.
Community Impact reached out to officials with the cities of Katy and Fulshear for feedback on the TIP proposal and will update the story when information is available.
