Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) announced she has secured $14.3 million for local projects benefiting Texas’ Seventh Congressional District and the Houston community, which were included in the FY 2023 Six-Bill Appropriations Minibus, H.R. 8294.  These projects will provide funding for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), the City of Bellaire, the City of West University Place, the St. George Place Redevelopment Authority, and the Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority. 

“I am thrilled to announce that the House has passed legislation that will provide our district with more than $14 million in federal funding,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “Each of the community funded projects I advocated for will make a positive impact in our community – from making our intersections safer to protecting our community from flooding, and more.  I was glad to vote for this legislation and have taxpayer dollars come right back to our community.  Delivering for our community requires collaboration between local and federal government, and I am grateful for the partnership with our area leaders to deliver for Houstonians.”

Congresswoman Fletcher requested funds for fifteen Community Funded Projects, six of which passed the House in H.R. 8294.  Additional appropriations legislation, including the remaining nine projects will come before the House this year.

Community Funded Projects included in H.R. 8294 include:

• $5,000,000 for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) to improve the Westheimer BOOST bus route, an east-west crosstown bus route with the highest ridership in the METRO system and in all of Texas. Improvements will consist of bus stop enhancements, new bus shelters, improved passenger information, and easier boarding platforms and safe all-door access;
  
• $600,000 for the City of Bellaire to build an inclusive playground for children and families of all abilities. These new play structures will allow children in wheelchairs to play alongside their peers and incorporate sensory play elements and interactive educational features;
• $2,500,000 for the City of West University Place to replace approximately 2,400 feet of pre-1939 cast-iron water distribution lines on Milton Street, which have exceeded their useful lifespan.  Failure of these distribution lines would disrupt the water supply to the City of West University Place;
• $750,000 for the St. George Place Redevelopment Authority to improve safety for pedestrians at the intersections of Beverlyhill Street and East and West Greenridge.  The project will promote safe vehicle and foot traffic through the intersections and install street lighting, sidewalks, and other hardscaping to improve quality of life for the surrounding community;
• $2,400,000 for the City of Bellaire to replace water and wastewater line infrastructure that has reached the end of its 30 to 50-year useful service life.  The majority of these lines are cast iron waterlines that are 50 years or older; and
• $3,000,000 for the Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority to improve the intersection between Hillcroft Avenue between Westpark Drive and Harwin Drive.  This intersection is designated as a "High Injury Network" because of its rate of high crash incidence and severity.  The proposed project will improve the intersection's safety for all users, rehabilitate failing pavement, improve stormwater conveyance, enhance sidewalks, and improve signalization. 

For more details on each project Congresswoman Fletcher requested for Fiscal Year 2023, click here.