By Judith McGlaughlin, One Creek West

Two Williamsburg communities have identified a longstanding need for a sidewalk along Franz Road to improve the safety of students who walk to and from the Morton Ranch academic campus. While these students are eligible for bus service from Katy ISD, this corridor is well-traveled even when buses are available – and the district does not provide buses for the after-school activities in which many students are engaged.

In response to the Williamsburg neighborhood inquiries, One Creek West, a non-profit community organization in Katy North, has prepared a proposal to convey the need for this sidewalk, the cost to construct it, and potential sources to fund it. One Creek West was engaged in Harris County Precinct 4’s “Community Plan and Mobility Study” for our area in the last year. It also worked with Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) and Emergency Services District 47 in the Mayde Creek area to apply for Precinct 4’s “Places 4 People” (P4P) program, a call for infrastructure project where Precinct 4 funds 70% of the cost of a community project if local sponsors fund the remaining 30%.

The proposed sidewalk would be located on the north side of Franz Road. It would extend approximately 5,100-ft, from the corner of Mason Road and Franz Road, to the entrance of the Elation at Grandway West apartments on the west side of the Harris County Flood Control’s T-101-08-00 channel. The potential for sidewalks along the east side of Franz Road is being evaluated. 

(Source: Judith McGlaughlin / One Creek West)

There are 400 students in Williamsburg Settlement, Williamsburg Colony, and the Elation at Grandway West apartments who attend Morton Ranch High School or Morton Ranch Junior High. While all students are eligible for Katy ISD bus service, many students elect to walk to or from school. According to school officials, many students are involved in athletics, band, clubs, and other after-school activities – and the district does not offer early of late buses for any of these activities. Parents have noted that the current walk path is unsafe, particularly before sun rises and during rainy conditions.

A review of all high school and junior high campuses in Katy ISD shows that these students face the highest daily traffic rate of any campus without sidewalk access. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that an average of 16,000 vehicles use Franz Road west of Mason Road per day. While campuses such as Cinco Ranch have higher traffic rates, these campuses have well-established sidewalks that protect the students that walk home. The most traveled road in Katy ISD is Greenhouse Road north of Saums Road, where sidewalks were installed in January of this year.

(Source: Judith McGlaughlin / One Creek West)

There are technical challenges associated with the proposed route of the sidewalk. In addition to commercial development at the corners of Mason Road/Franz Road and Elrod Road/Franz Road, the section from the CenterPoint substation to Elrod Road has a number of interceptor drains – which indicate that additional drainage investments may need to be incorporated into the project. In addition, the right-of-way adjacent to Williamsburg Colony is highly sloped, requiring a retaining wall that adds cost to the project.

There are two possible ways that are being considered to fund the project. The first is to petition Harris County Precinct 4 to build the sidewalk under its “Pathways 4 Progress” program that it initiated in 2024. This was a rapid-fire undertaking to build sidewalks both north and south of I-10 as quickly as possible, focusing on those routes clear of right-of-way impediments (such as utility, drainage, or other challenges). The County allocated some $20 million to build over 50 miles of sidewalk throughout Precinct 4, much of which was used in our community. Projects were prioritized based upon the ability to connect families to their neighborhood schools, local parks, hospitals, and shopping centers.   

The goals of the Williamsburg sidewalk are consistent with this initiative – but it is not clear what level of funding will be available after the current program is completed.

If this program is not continued in 2026, the second option is to apply for funding under the P4P program. To this end, One Creek West has met with the three MUDs that serve the Williamsburg communities and have briefed them on the opportunity. All of the MUDs have generously agreed to provide Letters of Support to demonstrate the recognized need for the project.

The next step is to brief Harris County Precinct 4 on the need and cost of the project, and to gain feedback on the availability of funding to determine which funding option is appropriate. Additional information regarding the status of the project will be forthcoming.

Please feel free to send any comments or questions to jmcglaughlin@onecreekwest.org. 

Editor's Note: One Creek West is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for neighborhoods in West Houston’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. Established in 2019, the group works to identify community challenges, foster consensus, and advocate for residents. Its service area includes neighborhoods north of I-10, south of Keith Harrow Road, east of SH-99, and west of SH-6. With the Addicks Watershed playing a major role in land use, One Creek West serves as a vital voice for residents, ensuring thoughtful growth and sustainability. To learn more, visit onecreekwest.org.