Major Westpark Tollway study to focus on capacity, ease of access

To keep pace with growth in the area, Harris County is seeking engineering firms to lead a study that will explore the mobility capacity of the Westpark Tollway.

The study will address a segment of the roadway from Beltway 8 west to the Harris County-Fort Bend County line, according to a May 17 news release. The aim of the study is to ultimately create more vibrant, accessible and equitable connections between communities on both sides of the thoroughfare, the release states.

This initiative, proposed by Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, is supported by the Commissioners Court, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, the city of Houston and Fort Bend County.

Study details: Per the release, community input will be central to the study, as will exploring best practices in urban design. A timeline and cost estimate have not yet been made. Potential options include:

• adding public art
• increasing lighting
• maximizing parking and tollway plaza spaces to make access to the tollway safer

Why it matters: Briones described the study as an opportunity to expand transportation options for the roadway that would support economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents in the area.

“We must build with the future in mind and ensure our work is sustainable, strategic, and sensible—while always keeping community engagement central,” Briones said in the release. “By partnering with METRO, HCTRA, and the city of Houston, we are seeking the most effective way to leverage resources to better serve the community.”