Katy improving mobility with Metro funds

Thanks to mobility funds from the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Katyland will be widened from two lanes to four lanes, relieving a lot of stress on the narrow road.

“It will look like Avenue D when we're done,” Assistant City Administrator Bill Drohan said.

Construction should start by the end of the year and take about 16 months to complete. When finished, the $5.7 million project will have four lanes, curb and gutter, sidewalks and appropriate drainage. It will also significantly improve access to the Katy ISD complex containing Raines High School, Miller Career and Technology Center, and Rhodes Stadium.

The ability of the city to do that and other road projects is the result of money generated through the taxes paid to the Metropolitan Transit Authority. That funding could dry up in 2014 if voters do not approve the continued rebate back to the cities by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. A funding question is on the ballot for the Nov. 6 elections.

The Katy City Council approved spending $4.2 million on the Katyland project using the Metro mobility funds. The project will be administered by Katy Development Authority, which has been handling Metro fund projects for the city. In the resolution adopted by council, the Katy Development Authority has sufficient funds to make up the $1.5 million difference. According to Mayor Don Elder Jr., the city receives $4.2 million a year as its share of the mobility funds the Metropolitan Transit Authority shares with Harris County and 16 member cities.

Last year, Lilac Street was extended and the Tenth Street bridge upgraded. In addition to improving Katyland, the city is awaiting Federal approval to finally begin the $3.5 million Cane Island Parkway project linking I-10 to Hwy. 90. The city previously identified 18 projects it wants to complete with the Metro funds by 2020. Two are complete, two are in progress and next up for 2013 will be improving Morton Road from Katy-Fort Bend Road to Pitts Road.