Brazos County Receives $2.8 Million for Transportation Projects

News Summary

Brazos County has secured $2.8 million for alternative transportation projects aimed at enhancing mobility without expanding roads. The funding will open applications on April 17, allowing nonprofits and other organizations to propose ideas. Recipients will be reimbursed for 80% of project costs. Meanwhile, the College Station city council faces community backlash over proposed impact fees, with discussions on affordable housing concerns ongoing. Additionally, the Bryan City Council has approved a project to widen Old Reliance Road, including flood mitigation efforts.

Brazos County Gets $2.8 Million for Alternative Transportation Projects

Great news, Brazos County! Local leaders have secured a fun new fund of $2.8 million dedicated to alternative transportation projects. What does that mean? Well, it’s all about the ways we get around without just building more roads. The big reveal came from Dan Rudge, who’s the director of the Bryan/College Station metropolitan planning organization (MPO). He let everyone know that this funding isn’t just for the usual suspects. Non-profits and other organizations that usually don’t apply for grants can get in on the action too!

Mark your calendars because the application period for this exciting opportunity kicks off on April 17. If your group has some nifty project ideas to improve transportation, this is your chance. But keep in mind, recipients of these grants will need to pay for their projects upfront. Good news, though: you can get reimbursed for 80% of the cost. And you might be wondering, what kinds of projects are we talking about? Think sidewalks, educational items, and shared-use paths. It’s all about allowing more ways to travel safely and efficiently around our lovely county!

College Station City Council Faces Community Concerns Over Impact Fees

April 10, around a dozen speakers shared their thoughts. The audience was a mixed bag, with ten opponents including developers, homebuilders, and realtors standing up against the fees. On the other side, two speakers in favor hailed from the impact advisory committee and a retired councilman.

affordable housing. But here’s where it got tricky: the topic of impact fees wasn’t officially on the agenda, so the council had to sit tight and couldn’t respond to the public comments due to state law restrictions.

March 27, so stay tuned for more developments on that front!

Bryan City Council Approves Old Reliance Road Widening Project

Old Reliance Road. This isn’t just about expanding; they’re also tackling flood mitigation. The plan includes raising the roadway by three feet and adding seven culverts in low-lying areas. It’s a hefty project, with a total estimated cost of $9.7 million. The funding sources make it even better, with over $5 million in city bonds and more than $4 million coming from federal support. Importantly, these improvements will not change the flood risks in the nearby Castle Heights neighborhood.

Brazos County Takes Charge of Downtown Bryan Parking Garage

April 15, the county will be managing the garage for just $1 a year, as they transition to full ownership by 2044. Some people did express concerns; Fred Brown voted against the contracts, especially regarding the need for an insurance broker, believing it would increase costs unnecessarily.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Bryan City Approves Road Expansion and Flood Mitigation Plans
College Station City Council Considers Impact Fees Amid Housing Crisis
Brazos County Railroad Crossing Closure on April 3
Amazon Drone Delivery Resumes in College Station and Arizona
Highway 6 Band Celebrates Milestone at Chilifest
Amazon Resumes Drone Deliveries in College Station
Brazos County Prepares for Significant Road Expansion
College Station City Council Approves Funding for 4-H Roundup
College Station Mayor Discusses Housing and Safety Issues
13-Year-Old Student Injured in College Station Vehicle Collision

Additional Resources

• WTAW News
• Wikipedia: Transportation Grant
• Community Impact News
• Google Search: TxDOT Multimodal Bridge Grant
• KBTX News
• Google Scholar: East Loop Project Texas
• WTAW News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Brazos Transit District
• KLTV News
• Google News: East Texas Transit Service

Author: HERE College Station