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, in a December 9 press conference. 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, her office said in a press release.

Among the projects announced is a partnership with the City of Katy for 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, the commissioner’s office said in a press release.

“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.

The $48.8 million Places 4 People 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:

· Ten 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 of the additional projects are:

· Harris County MUD 478’s Baethe Road Corridor Improvements: A $17 million project, supported by $5 million from Precinct 4, will construct a two-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.


· 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.

Seventeen of the projects target areas with medium-to-high socioeconomic vulnerability, ensuring resources address the communities most in need, the commissioner’s office said.

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

For more information about the Places 4 People initiative and upcoming projects, visit: hcp4.net/infrastructure/projects/.