Dig This: District Breaks Ground on Hike and Bike Trail

A Scoop of a Story: Dishing the dirt are (from left): Jim Murphy, Westchase District; Lucio Ortiz, Texas Department of Transportation; Gwen Tillotson, City of Houston; Sandra Musgrove, Harris County Flood Control District; and Philip Schneidau, Westchase District Board of Directors.

 

City, county and state officials joined Westchase District for a groundbreaking ceremony recently marking the construction start of the Brays Bayou Connector Trail (BBCT).

Steve Le, City Council Member District F, speaks at the District’s groundbreaking for the Brays Bayou Connector Trail.

The new 1.92-mile trail will run south from Richmond Avenue to Bellaire Boulevard and will feature underpasses at Richmond, Westpark Drive, Westpark Tollway, Harwin Drive and Bellaire, allowing users to enjoy the trail entirely off-street. The BBCT will also connect to the City of Houston’s on-street bikeway network via street connectors at each roadway intersection.

“This is the first project under construction using funds from our 380 Area Agreement,” said Jim Murphy, Westchase District’s general manager, referring to an agreement between Westchase District and the City of Houston which provides money from property tax revenue increases to finance public infrastructure projects. “It represents the start of many more exciting projects already in cue that will improve the quality of life for Westchase District residents, workers and visitors.”

Construction of the BBCT will cost about $4 million and will be funded with a grant from the Federal Transit Agency and money from the 380 Area Agreement. Expected completion of the BBCT is Fall 2016.