Harris County Precinct 4 'Sidewalks 4 Precinct 4' Initiative Delivers 50 Miles of Safer Walkways in One Year
In a milestone achievement for pedestrian safety and infrastructure equity, Harris County Precinct 4 has completed 50 miles of new sidewalks across unincorporated parts of the county in just one year through the Sidewalks 4 Precinct 4 initiative, launched by Commissioner Lesley Briones.
With a $20 million investment, the county prioritized the creation of pedestrian pathways that connect residents to schools, healthcare facilities, parks, businesses, and transit stops, with a special emphasis on student safety and accessibility for people of all abilities. Of the total construction, 14.1 miles were built within the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (Cy-Fair ISD) alone.
“We are here to celebrate something that had never happened before in Harris County,” said Commissioner Lesley Briones during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We were able to build 50 miles of sidewalk in one year—something many said couldn’t be done. But as a former teacher and mother of three young daughters, I knew we had to get it done for our kids’ safety.”
The initiative responded directly to community input, focusing on areas identified through both resident feedback and data-driven need assessments. Residents across Precinct 4, including Cy-Fair ISD, had voiced concerns about dangerous walking conditions, especially for students navigating busy roads without pedestrian infrastructure.
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Projects completed within Cy-Fair ISD as part of the 2024 Sidewalks 4 Precinct 4 initiative include:
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Postma Elementary (0.3 miles)
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Longenbaugh Road (3.6 miles) – connecting to Andre Elementary and Richard & Meg Weekley Park
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W. Little York (2.1 miles) – connecting to Kahla Middle School
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W. Little York (2.4 miles) – connecting to Hoover and Jowell Elementary, and the CFISD Alternative Learning Center
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Timber Creek (0.7 miles) – connecting to businesses and surrounding neighborhoods
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Villages of Bear Creek (4.2 miles) – connecting to Thornton Middle, Sheridan Elementary, and Cypress Lakes High School
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Keith Harrow Blvd (0.8 miles) – connecting to Lieder Elementary and Watkins Middle School
In addition to completed segments, two new sidewalk projects were announced for Cy-Fair ISD: one along West Little York Road near Hemmenway Elementary, and another along North Fry Road, connecting Cypress Springs High School and Hopper Middle School.
“Sidewalks are safety, and sidewalks are connection,” Briones emphasized. “They connect students to schools, residents to bus stops and places of worship, and families to job opportunities. We prioritized gaps near schools, economic centers, and community gathering spaces because we believe sidewalks are also opportunity.”
The program’s accelerated timeline was made possible by a coordinated effort between Precinct 4 staff, contractors, community partners, and local school districts including Cy-Fair ISD, Katy ISD, and Alief ISD.
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“We were told this couldn’t be done in a year, but my team proved otherwise,” Briones said. “I want to thank the bold public servants and contractors who helped us meet this challenge. Their work has made our neighborhoods safer and more connected.”
Beyond physical safety, the sidewalks promote greater accessibility for individuals with disabilities, parents with strollers, and residents who rely on walking as a primary mode of transportation. Briones also highlighted the importance of supporting students in their daily lives.
“We listened to the community,” she said. “We received so many calls from parents worried about children walking in ditches and mud just to get to school. This is not what our kids deserve. These sidewalks are a promise that we will keep delivering for their safety and future.”
The Sidewalks 4 Precinct 4 initiative represents more than a construction milestone; it’s a model of responsive government and cross-sector collaboration. With more infrastructure projects planned, including hundreds beyond the sidewalk network, Commissioner Briones encouraged residents to stay engaged and connected with her office.
“We’re not done yet,” she added. “We’ll keep building and listening—because this is what it means to serve with purpose and deliver progress.”
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
