H-GAC votes to include The Woodlands Township on Transportation Policy Council

The Woodlands, TX - The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Transportation Policy Council (TPC) voted today to provide a local government voting position to The Woodlands Township. Today's approval was accomplished with the support of Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough who serves as Montgomery County's representative on the TPC and is the culmination of efforts by the Township Board of Directors to gain voting membership.

"With The Woodlands Township securing a place on the Houston-Galveston Area Council's Transportation Policy Council, we embrace a new chapter of regional cooperation," said Chairman Dr. Ann K. Snyder. "Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough's steadfast advocacy paved the way for this pivotal inclusion, highlighting the importance of diverse representation in addressing our shared challenges."

The TPC provides policy guidance and overall transportation coordination for the eight-county Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and is comprised of representatives of cities and counties, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, an at-large position appointed by the H-GAC Board of Directors and a representative of the Gulf Coast Rail District. The TPC approves funding decisions for distribution of federal and state monies that are distributed to the MPO for projects in the region.

As a special purpose district, the Township does not have responsibility for roads; however, the Township is responsible for the administration of several transit programs, including The Woodlands Express Park & Ride commuter bus service that serves residents of Montgomery County and adjacent North Harris County. The Township is a designated federal transit funding recipient for this program, which provides a significant contribution to attaining/maintaining federal clean air compliance standards and aids in eliminating vehicle congestion in the H-GAC region.

The Township Board of Directors passed Resolution 005-23 in April 2023 requesting a voting position on the TPC beginning in 2024.

Houston-Galveston Area Council Background

H-GAC serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the greater Houston region. An MPO is a federally mandated and federally funded transportation policy-making organization that is made up of representatives from local government and governmental transportation authorities. Federal funding for transportation projects and programs is channeled through the MPO planning process.

The mission of H-GAC, as an MPO, is to serve as the instrument for local government cooperation, promoting the region’s orderly development and the safety and welfare of its citizens. H-GAC provides planning programs in support of public transportation and transit concerns. As an instrument of H-GAC, the Transportation Policy Council (TPC) provides policy guidance and overall coordination of the transportation planning activities in the region. The TPC consists of 28 members representing cities and counties, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, and one at-large member appointed by the H-GAC Board of Directors representing cities with a population greater than 50,000, and one voting member position for representation from the Gulf Coast Rail District.

For more information on H-GAC, please visit www.h-gac.com.