Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted to pass H.R. 3684, the INVEST in America Act, legislation to make transformational investments in America’s highways, roads, bridges, transit, rail, and water infrastructure.  This legislation moves forward key pieces of President Biden’s infrastructure vision.  It passed the House of Representatives today with bipartisan support, 221-201. 

Congresswoman Fletcher secured several provisions on behalf of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District and Houston as a part of the INVEST in America Act.  The bill includes $20 million for two projects in Texas’ Seventh Congressional District that will improve the connectivity and commuter experience of people across the region.  Congresswoman Fletcher also included an amendment that provides local transit agencies with additional flexibility to develop multiple transit projects at a time without risking potential federal funds, allowing them to deliver large-scale improvements to the region’s overall connectivity.  

“The INVEST in America Act makes long-overdue investments in our country’s infrastructure.  As a part of this transformational bill, I was glad to work to ensure this legislation directly benefits our district,” said Congresswoman Fletcher.  “I am pleased to share that the bill includes $20 million for Texas’ Seventh Congressional District, funding that will improve the 82 Westheimer bus route – one of the busiest routes in our city – and to construct a path connecting Memorial Park with Uptown District.” 

“I am also glad the INVEST in America Act includes my amendment that provides local transit agencies, like METRO, with flexibility in financing multiple, interrelated projects at a time,” Congresswoman Fletcher added.  “This will help ensure that leaders on the ground working to improve our community’s transit can maximize federal and local funds available to them, allowing them to deliver large-scale improvements at a time.  As we re-imagine and rebuild our country’s infrastructure, this is precisely the type of local-federal partnership that will allow us to build for our future successfully.” 

METRO’s Deputy CEO Tom Jasien said: “On behalf of METRO, I would like to thank U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher for providing $16 million in federal funds to enhance public transit along one of the most traveled corridors in Houston.  The 82 Westheimer bus route will have improved speed, reliability, and accessibility as part of a long-range plan to provide a better travel experience and ease traffic congestion.  This route currently has the highest ridership, not only in Houston, but in the state of Texas.  Upgrades including redesigned bus shelters, relocating bus stops, new sidewalks, ADA ramps, traffic signal improvements and real-time arrival information.  Public transit connects people to jobs, health care, education, and other activities.  By investing in projects like this, Rep. Fletcher has once again demonstrated her commitment to elevating the quality of life for those she serves.”

Uptown Houston District President John Breeding said: “The Uptown Houston District has been working with our partners to develop and secure funding for this project.  We are very grateful for Congresswoman Fletcher’s support and dedication towards realizing this objective.  When implemented, the Uptown – Memorial Park Connector South project will enhance safety and access for pedestrians and bicyclists, increase the economic resiliency of Uptown, and help mitigate traffic congestion to and from Memorial Park.  These benefits are in line with the goals set locally, regionally, and nationally related to infrastructure and mobility.  Uptown Houston thanks Congresswoman Fletcher for her leadership, commitment and diligent effort to secure funds to implement these important projects.” 

Specifically, Congresswoman Fletcher’s amendment that passed as a part of the INVEST in America Act allows transit agencies to group interrelated transit improvement projects together.  That way, if an agency pays more than the required 20 percent of local funds to pay for a federally qualified project, the extra funds they used on that project will be counted as a credit on another project.  This will ensure that local agencies are able to maximize both the federal and local funds available to them to deliver large-scale regional transit improvements.

Congresswoman Fletcher also secured: 

• $16 million for the Westheimer BOOST project: The Westheimer BOOST Project consists of bus stop enhancements, new bus shelters, improved passenger information, and easier boarding platforms and safe all-door access for the 82 Westheimer bus route.  This route is one of the highest ridership bus routes in the METRO system, with more than 13,000 boardings on the average weekday.  It is an east-west crosstown bus route connecting dense residential neighborhoods to employment centers, key destinations, and essential services, including Downtown Houston, Greenway Plaza, Uptown, and Westchase.

• $4 million for the Memorial Park Connector South project: The Memorial Park Connector South project would construct a bicycle and pedestrian pathway to connect Memorial Park with the Uptown Houston District.  The improvements will connect a shared use path connection currently under construction by the City of Houston, east of Briar Hollow Ln. and will connect to a proposed new bridge crossing north of Buffalo Bayou.  The project improves safety for pedestrians and bicyclists by providing safe access into and through the Park and it is anticipated to generate approximately 303 new daily pedestrian users and 96 new bicycle users.