Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones announced nearly $50 million in sustainable infrastructure projects spanning the City of Houston, the City of Katy, and unincorporated Harris County. This second year of her Places 4 People: Call 4 Projects will enhance public safety, reduce flooding, improve mobility, and expand access to parks and trails.

“This investment underscores the power of partnerships to maximize taxpayer dollars and drive progress. City residents pay county taxes, and they deserve to see a clear return on that investment. I am energized by our collaboration with leadership at the City of Houston and the City of Katy to benefit our shared constituents. By working together on these critical infrastructure projects, we are creating a better, stronger, and safer Harris County,” said Commissioner Briones.

Investing in Collaboration

The $48.8 million initiative leverages $17.7 million in Precinct funding with $31.1 million from partners, including the City of Houston, City of Katy, METRO, Houston Parks Board, and several municipal utility districts (MUDs).

The 20 selected projects include:

• 10 hike and bike trail constructions
• Three roadway improvements
• Three sidewalk constructions
• One drainage improvement project
• One intersection improvement project
• One traffic signal improvement project
• One bus shelter expansion project

Key Highlights

• City of Houston investments: $7.6 million in projects, spanning council districts A, C, F, G, and J, will include intersection safety enhancements, traffic signal replacements, and studies to address drainage and trail connectivity. Precinct 4 is contributing $4.4 million to these projects.
• METRO Bus Shelters: A $6 million project—with $1 million from Precinct 4—will add transit shelters, prioritizing Gulfton and Sharpstown where residents rely heavily on public transit and face higher heat risks.
• Houston Parks Board: A $1.6 million feasibility study will plan a 2.7-mile Spring Branch trail connecting Wirt Road to the White Oak Bayou Greenway, with $988,000 from Precinct 4.
• City of Katy Partnership: A $1.3 million design study will explore widening Katy Fort Bend Road to improve safety and mobility near the Katy Boardwalk District. Precinct 4 and the City of Katy will share costs equally.
• Harris County MUD 478’s Baethe Road Corridor Improvements: A $17 million project, supported by $5 million from Precinct 4, will construct a 2-mile boulevard with utilities, walking trails, and landscaping. This project will connect Warren Ranch Road to Katy-Hockley Road and provide direct access to the new Waller ISD multi-campus site, enhancing connectivity in a rapidly growing area.

Addressing High-Need Areas

17 of the projects target areas with medium-to-high socioeconomic vulnerability, ensuring resources address the communities most in need.

“Our communities across western Harris County continue to grow, and our infrastructure must keep pace with that growth. I am grateful to our partners for heeding the call to invest in our neighborhoods to meet the needs of today and plan for our future,” Commissioner Briones said.

“Commissioner Briones has been a great partner, and I appreciate and thank her for her support and collaboration. The projects chosen in the city limits, including the METRO bus shelters, will significantly enhance our infrastructure, providing new mobility options, and promising a better quality of life for all Houstonians,” said Mayor Whitmire.

“The Gulfton Revitalization Project is more than just a transit improvement - it’s a transformative investment in the community. We already made strides toward this goal with recent grant funding for transit-oriented development planning, and upgraded bus shelters are a vital piece of this community improvement. These shelters will provide a much-needed respite from the elements, particularly during the hot summer months,” said METRO Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock. “We are thankful to Commissioner Briones for her leadership and are ready to continue our joint commitment to revitalize a community of our customers that has been long underserved.”

“We are honored to continue to build upon our partnership with Precinct 4 and Commissioner Lesley Briones as part of the Places4People initiative,” said Beth White, President and CEO of Houston Parks Board. “With the power of public-private partnerships and Precinct 4’s generous support, we are building a network of trails that promote recreation, provide safe transportation, and connect our diverse communities across Harris County.”

Project funding will become available in fiscal year 2025 - 2026.

For more information about the Places 4 People initiative and upcoming projects, click here.