Houston-Galveston Area Council Seeks Public Input on $109 Billion Transportation Plan for Region’s Future
The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is asking residents to help chart the future of mobility across Greater Houston through its development of the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). This federally mandated plan will guide nearly $109 billion in investments over the next 20 years, affecting how more than 7.2 million people move, connect, and access opportunities across eight counties.
With rapid population growth, increasing freight volumes, and evolving transportation needs, the RTP is a critical tool for ensuring that the region’s infrastructure keeps pace—safely, sustainably, and equitably.
What Is the RTP 2050?
The RTP is H-GAC’s long-range transportation plan, updated every four years as required by federal law. As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the eight-county Houston-Galveston Transportation Management Area—including Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties—H-GAC works with 132 cities and 63 public agencies to coordinate major infrastructure planning across the region.
The most recent update, adopted in April 2023, includes more than 750 unique transportation projects aimed at improving safety, connectivity, access to transit, goods movement, and resilience to emergencies.
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Why It Matters: The Stakes of $109 Billion
According to H-GAC, the region’s daily vehicle miles traveled (VMT) are projected to rise from 179 million to 273 million by 2045, a 53% increase. The RTP helps determine which projects will be eligible for federal and state funding—meaning if a project isn’t in the plan, it likely won’t happen.
The plan impacts:
- Highways and major corridors like I-45, I-10, SH 288, and the Grand Parkway
- Public transit, including METRORapid expansion and regional park-and-ride facilities
- Freight and port access, vital for the region’s economy
- Bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian safety, especially in underserved areas
- Evacuation routes, critical for hurricane-prone communities
Community Input Has Already Shaped Priorities
The 2045 RTP update received over 2,000 public survey responses and included 17 public meetings, revealing that:
- Residents inside Beltway 8 wanted better road quality and more travel options.
- Outside the Beltway, people wanted shorter commutes and more transit access.
- Safety was a top concern, particularly for pedestrians, with fatalities rising 40% since 2018.
- There was a clear preference for livability and proximity to jobs and services, not just speed.
How You Can Shape the 2050 Plan
Public engagement is now underway for the 2050 update, with multiple ways to get involved:
Take the Survey
Online at RTP2050.com
Attend a Public Meeting
Each meeting runs from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM and can be attended in person or online unless noted:
Harris County: Thursday, July 31
Fort Bend County: Wednesday, August 6
Virtual-Only Meeting: Tuesday, August 12
Zoom link available HERE
Meetings will also be held in Liberty, Chambers, Galveston, Waller, Montgomery, and Brazoria counties. For the full list of meeting dates and details, visit RTP2050.com
For language interpretation or ADA accommodations, call 832-821-2050 or email RTP2050@h-gac.com at least 72 hours before the meeting.
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Vision and Goals of the Plan
The 2050 RTP builds on a regional vision for “a safe, resilient, equitable, and reliable multimodal transportation system that contributes to a livable region.” The plan’s five main goals are:
- Improve safety
- Maintain a state of good repair
- Move people and goods efficiently
- Strengthen economic competitiveness
- Protect natural and cultural resources
These goals are paired with measurable performance targets related to crash rates, transit reliability, pavement conditions, air quality, freight congestion, and equity.
A Plan for a Rapidly Growing Region
According to H-GAC, by 2045, the region is expected to surpass 10.6 million residents and 4.7 million jobs, with 75% of population growth occurring outside the Beltway. The RTP helps direct infrastructure investments to meet these needs while balancing mobility, environmental, and equity concerns.
“If you drive, ride, bike, walk, or take transit, this plan affects you,” H-GAC notes in its outreach materials. “We want to hear from you—because it’s your plan too.”
For more information, visit RTP2050.com, email GetInvolved@RTP2050.com, or call 832-821-2050.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for ongoing updates on public meetings, draft plans, and how your input is shaping transportation priorities across Greater Houston.
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.
