Commissioner Lesley Briones announced round two of her Crosswalks 4 Precinct 4 public safety initiative on Friday at Morton Ranch High School. The program provides upgrades to crosswalks in high-traffic school zones identified through crash data and community input.
While students are on Spring Break, Precinct 4 crews will repaint key crosswalks, curbs, and road markings at 12 school-zone locations in the Alief, Cy-Fair, Katy, and Houston Independent School Districts.
During Winter Break 2025, Precinct 4 crews completed crosswalk improvements at 20 schools across unincorporated Harris County, including Tomball and Waller ISDs.
“Our North Star is zero accidents and deaths on our roads. We have a lot of work ahead, and we are doubling down to get there. From restriping crosswalks to upgrading traffic signals and rebuilding sidewalks, we are investing in safer streets for our children and families. Safety does not take a break, and neither does your county government. At the end of the day, our goal is to keep your family safe,” said Commissioner Lesley Briones.
Morton Ranch High School exemplifies the urgent need for these safety improvements. The campus sits along a High Injury Network corridor where, within one mile of the school, there have been three deaths and 19 serious injuries over the past five years. Following the press conference on Friday morning, Precinct 4 Road and Bridge crews began work on Morton Ranch High School’s crosswalks.
“Commissioner Lesley Briones, thank you for your leadership and your partnership. The City of Katy is proud to stand with Harris County Precinct 4 as we continue improving safety and quality of life for the families we jointly serve. Together, we are building not just infrastructure, but a safer, stronger community for everyone,” said Mayor William “Dusty” Thiele, City of Katy.
“We are so grateful for Commissioner Lesley Briones and the partnership we have. There’s nothing more important than getting our kids to school safely. And this is an example right here at Morton Ranch High School that we can work together in partnership,” said Dr. Ken Gregorski, Katy ISD Superintendent.
“Every school day, thousands of students walk or bike near our campuses, and clearly marked crosswalks play an important role in helping them get to and from school safely. These improvements will support the work of our crossing guards, who are out here every day helping guide students safely across busy roadways,” said Chief David Rider, Katy ISD Police.
“Repainting the crosswalks may seem like a small change, but for students who walk to school every day, it makes a big difference. It's encouraging to see local leaders listening to students and families and taking action to make our community safer,” said Henry Azie, Morton Ranch High School student.
Additionally, Commissioner Briones is partnering with Mayor John Whitmire and Council Member Abbie Kamin to install new technology-enhanced crosswalks with push-button activated flashing beacons and accessible ramps at several locations within the City of Houston. One of these upgrades will take place at Sinclair Elementary, supported by $60,000 in funding from Council Member Kamin.
“Safety for our community is the number one priority. Working hand-in-hand with elementary school families and the neighborhood, these critical upgrades will protect our children,” said Council Member Abbie Kamin. “It’s team efforts like this joint endeavor with Commissioner Briones that exemplify the power of partnership, and I thank her and the entire Precinct 4 team for working with me to deliver these safety improvements for our entire community.”
Commissioner Briones is investing in infrastructure improvements across the Precinct, including:
With the completion of the Winter and Spring Break work, Precinct 4 will have updated over 100 crosswalks across 6 school districts, improving safety for over 30,000 students.
Public safety is Commissioner Briones’ top priority. As a mother of three children and a former teacher, she is committed to ensuring all children have a safe path to school. This program is part of Commissioner Briones’ commitment to proactively maintaining infrastructure across Precinct 4.