Title
Consider and take action on a resolution ratifying the submission of three planning studies to the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Call for Subregional Planning Requests and authorizing the City Manager to execute any required agreements if projects are awarded (Executive Director of Development Services)
Background:
Approval of this item ratifies Staff’s submission of three planning studies to H-GAC’s Call for Subregional Planning Requests on October 19, 2026, and authorizes Staff to execute any required agreements should any or all of the projects be awarded.
H-GAC periodically issues a Call for Subregional Planning Requests, which allows local governments to submit planning studies for consideration of funding through H-GAC’s Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). These studies are typically funded 100% by H-GAC with no cost match required from the submitting agency. Due to H-GAC’s Call for Subregional Planning Requests deadline and the City’s Council Meeting Schedule, Staff submitted projects on October 19, 2026, ahead of Council authorization.
Staff submitted the following three planning studies and is now requesting ratification of those submittals:
ITS Master Plan Update (currently in FY2028 CIP at $260,000): The City’s existing traffic management infrastructure requires upgrades ahead of the Grand Parkway (SH 99) opening in 2031. This city-wide study will develop a comprehensive Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Master Plan to build a reliable communication network, standardize operations, and establish a five-year ITS deployment plan that addresses staffing needs and identifies future funding sources.
FM 270 (Egret Bay Boulevard) Corridor Study (new project): FM 270 between Clear Creek and FM 646 faces multiple operational and safety challenges, including two-lane undivided sections unable to handle heavy turning volumes, a high-crash five-lane section south of Clear Creek, capacity issues at the complex FM 270/FM 518/FM 2094 five-point intersection, and a lack of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. This corridor study, if awarded, will evaluate geometric improvements, access management, intersection solutions, and multimodal needs along the corridor.
SH 96 (League City Parkway) Corridor Study (new project): SH 96 (League City Parkway) between IH 45 and SH 146 is routinely operating over capacity, carrying approximately 35,000 vehicles per day on an existing four-lane roadway. Since the completion of the adjacent SH 146 project, traffic has grown at an average annual rate of 6%. This study will evaluate current and forecasted traffic conditions, identify lane and cross-section improvements, develop right-of-way and drainage requirements, and determine the number of lanes needed and the time frame in which capacity improvements will be warranted.
If any projects are awarded, Staff will coordinate with H-GAC on project scheduling. Awarded projects could begin as early as FY2027 depending on H-GAC’s schedule. The two new corridor studies would be added to the City’s CIP upon award. Because these studies carry no cost match to the City, there would be no direct financial impact to the City’s budget.
Staff is requesting that City Council ratify the October 19, 2026, submission of these three planning studies to H-GAC and authorize the City Manager to execute any required project agreements should any or all of the studies be awarded.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Exhibit A - H-GAC Call for Subregional Planning Requests Confirmation, ITS Master Plan Update
3. Exhibit B - H-GAC Call for Subregional Planning Requests Confirmation, FM 270 Corridor Study
4. Exhibit C - H-GAC Call for Subregional Planning Requests Confirmation, SH 96 Corridor Study
FUNDING
{X} If awarded prior to the FY2028 CIP Budget Process, the ITS Master Plan (currently budgeted in FY2028) would be brought forward and the FM270 and SH 96 Corridor Studies would be formally added to the CIP by Budget Amendment for planning of future design and construction if any benefit should derive from the studies.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{X}Addresses Strategic Planning Critical Success Factor # 1 - Develop & Maintain our Infrastructure