Houston Tollway Could Get Transit Options

Officials will assess multiple options for increasing capacity on a key route between downtown Houston and southwestern communities.

1 minute read

May 17, 2023, 10:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Freeway toll booth with "Stop" and "Pay Toll" signs

travelview / Toll booth

Houston’s Westpark Tollway could be headed for a redesign as the road continues to get more congested, reports Dug Begley in the Houston Chronicle. The tollway connects southwest Houston’s rapidly growing suburban communities with downtown and provides a key link for tens of thousands of commuters.

Rather than just examining the potential for lane expansion, officials say they are “thinking about all the options, leveraging all the mobility options so maybe that means transit partnerships or new ways of serving people beyond just raising prices and adding capacity.”

Harris County Toll Road Authority Executive Director Roberto Trevino says the Authority will commission a study to evaluate possible expansions and transit options. While an expansion of vehicle lanes is likely, “Moving more people … is prompting officials to consider how to move them more efficiently, notably by adding transit options or opportunities to ride a bike to a carpool hub or transit station.” Begley notes that “Right now, no commuter buses use HCTRA tollways, but that is likely to change as toll officials aim to use the existing lanes to move more people.”

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in Houston Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA