Enhancement Program grants were given to the Houston Parks and Recreation Department totaling $6,594,406 to go toward the completion of four major hike and bike trail projects.
Three of the four projects will connect existing trails, parks, bus and METRO rail stops with neighborhoods along Brays Bayou. The fourth will connect with an ongoing flood control project on Hunting Bayou.
“These four grants will help us provide Houstonians with connections to existing off- road trails that will have long lasting positive impact on current and future generations,” said Mayor Annise Parker.
The four projects qualified for TxDOT Transportation Enhancement
Program grants under Category 1: Provision of facilities for Pedestrians and Bicycles.
The projects include: Mason Park Pedestrian Bike Bridge, funding $3,544,579, for the construction of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over Brays Bayou, along with 200 feet of new trail on each bank that will link existing paths with neighborhoods, business districts and community service institutions.
University Connection, funding $1,844,655, will provide a safe pedestrian/bicycle crossing for Brays Bayou near two new light rail transit centers, two universities and many neighborhoods in the MacGregor Park area. It will connect paths along Brays Bayou and Martin Luther King Blvd.
Hunting Bayou Gaps, funding $607,430, will connect 1.5 miles of trails along Hunting Bayou with one mile of new construction. It will use work underway as a Harris County Flood Control project to connect Mickey Leland and Hutcheson Parks.
Hermann Park/Brays Bayou Connectors, funding $597,742, are a part of a comprehensive plan to connect 35 miles of existing trails stretching from the Houston Ship Channel to West Houston. It will also complete trails in Hermann Park and increase pedestrian connection to several universities and the Texas Medical Center.
“This helps toward our goal of stringing our green spaces together to provide expanded recreation options and improved quality of life for our residents,” said Parker.
The total overall cost of the project is estimated at $12.6 million, $6.6 million in Federal funds and a combination of public and private funds of $6 million for the local match.
“The Houston Parks Board (HPB) is providing the local match totaling $4,087,978 for construction of 3 projects- Mason Park Bike/Pedestrian Bridge, University Connections and Hunting Bayou Gaps,” according to the Mayor’s Office.
“The match will be funded with the City of Houston Bond funds appropriated through the BGC2020 Inter local Agreement.
The HPB is using private funding estimated at $1,650,303 to pay for the design of the 3 projects.
The Hermann Park Conservancy is providing the local match for construction and design totaling in $179,916 for the Hermann Park/ Brays Bayou Trail Connectors.
TxDot administers the Transportation Enhancement Program which is federally funded. The projects that are taken on with enhancement funds are eligible for reimbursement of up to 80 percent of allowable construction cost.