Chairman:
Darrin Willer, HNTB
*Call for meeting times and location: 281-875-0660
Transportation Committee
2012 Goals and Objectives
GOALS
The Committee will inform NHA members, north Houston citizens and the NHA Board of Directors of transportation related activities by providing support and input to elected officials and agencies in regard to strategies for improved mobility in the north Houston region. Further, the committee will strive to ensure it receives information covering the many sides of an issue to better position it for informed and balanced recommendations.
OBJECTIVES
Advocate Project Funding – Assist the various governmental entities and agencies (i.e. City of Houston, City of Tomball, City of Humble, City of Shenandoah, City of Oak Ridge North, The Woodlands Township, Harris and Montgomery Counties, H-GAC, TxDOT, HCTRA, METRO, etc.) in achieving mobility objectives for the North Houston region.
- Assist with submitting projects for federal funding, where applicable.
- Evaluate various agency bond elections and make recommendation to the NHA Board of Director’s to support or oppose as appropriate.
- Testify/submit written commentary in regard to specific requests for help.
Legislative and Regulatory Issues - Monitor transportation issues and provide public comments and/or support as needed.
- Identify transportation issues that warrant advocacy and action, including local option funding. Prepare comment papers.
- Monitor SB1420 as it relates to SH 249 eligibility for a comprehensive development agreement and monitor progress implementation.
- Provide update on regulations regarding air quality, environmental processes, and transportation funding.
- Meet with NHA area elected officials to present comment papers and/or project funding advocacy.
Strategic Mobility Plan (SMP) – An SMP Task Force is in place to keep the public and membership updated and informed on regional transportation projects.
- Begin process in early 2012 for Strategic Mobility Plan to be issued in Fall 2012.
- The SMP will be provided in the form of a list of projects and interactive map that will be available for viewing on NHA’s website and referenced on Facebook.
- Advocate for and work to accelerate projects identified in the 2012 SMP.
- Include in SMP monitoring and providing comments to the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (Texas Department of Transportation – Houston District), which is in the process of evaluating proposed improvements on the following sections of highway: IH 45 North from the US 59/SH 288 interchange to Beltway 8 North.
SH 99 (Grand Parkway) – A Grand Parkway Task Force is in place to monitor and provide input/support when appropriate.
- Monitor overall project development for Segments E, F1, F2, and G. Meet with TxDOT, and the Grand Parkway Association to stay informed on the project progress.
- Monitor planning documents, establish position statements, and keep membership informed.
- Educate and inform citizens affected by the Grand Parkway of the value and regional need for parkway.
- Advocate for preferred Grand Parkway segments to be finalized and constructed.
- Champion the Grand Parkway as a priority project to the appropriate agencies with emphasis that the project is expedited through required review processes.
- Work to improve north-south mobility which will be needed to access the Grand Parkway as it is implemented from I-10 eastward to US 59.
Rail and High Capacity Transit Issues – Monitor and provide input/support when appropriate to METRO,TxDOT, and Gulf Coast Rail District.
Support METRO in its efforts to obtain federal funding.
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Evaluate membership in the Transportation Advocacy Group – Houston Region (TAG), which advocates for more adequate funding of public transportation.
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As a member of the North Corridor Coalition, work to educate citizens on the value of high capacity transit and advocate for its implementation.
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Monitor all elements of rail by working with the railroad companies and appropriate agencies to provide support and assistance for needed projects.
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Establish a Task Force on Rail to monitor and report on, as appropriate, issues related to the improvement of the movement of people and goods, and to maintain communication with the Gulf Coast Rail District or other rail entities formed that may impact the Houston region.
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Monitor and provide input to agencies on the development of US 290 and SH 249 commuter rail corridors, and High-Speed Rail.
- Monitor and encourage further development of transit in the North Corridor beyond the approved light rail transit to Northline and provide input as appropriate.
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Advocate funding for Harris and Montgomery County Commuter Rail lines and other commuter rail corridor lines that will improve regional mobility.
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Advocate funding of the Texas Railroad Relocation and Improvement Fund.
- Advocate for a High-Speed Rail connection between Houston and Dallas, working with Lone Star Rail and US-Japan High-Speed Rail Corporation, which has this corridor under study.
February 1, 2012: Speaker: David Couch, Sr. VP of Capital Programs, METRO