The proposed project will design and construct pedestrian improvements along the existing columbia TAP trail

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded Greater Southeast Management District $7.5 million through the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) on September 17, 2025, to design and construct pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements along the Columbia Tap Trail in Houston, Texas. The award, obligated through December 31, 2030, funds a comprehensive set of improvements to the existing trail corridor from Emancipation Avenue to Dixie Drive, including trail lighting, intersection crossing enhancements, location markers and wayfinding signage, functional landscaping with historic preservation considerations, and public safety equipment such as emergency call boxes. Additionally, the project extends the existing trail with new sidewalk, path, and trail construction from Dixie Drive to Almeda Road to improve connectivity.

The initiative is designed to enhance safety, accessibility, and transit access while connecting commuters and community members to employment centers, housing, social services, parks, and schools. The project will benefit residents and employees in southeast Houston, particularly in underserved communities, and will leverage existing regional assets including Hermann Park, Brays Bayou Greenway, Bennett Mills Park, Texas Southern University recreational fields, and Dodson Elementary School. No subrecipients are involved in project delivery.

Activities

The proposed project includes the following improvements along the existing columbia TAP trail (emancipation road to dixie drive):trail lightingintersection crossing improvementslocation markers/wayfindingfunctional landscaping and historic preservationpublic safety equipment such as call boxesthe project also proposes to extend the existing trail with new sidewalk/path/trail construction from its current southern terminus at dixie drive to better connect to almeda road.

Expected outcomes

The project will improve and extend existing bike/PED infrastructure with connections to transit employment centers housing social services parks and recreation areas and schools.

Intended beneficiaries

The intended beneficiaries of the project are commuters employees and the community. The project itself is the improvement and expansion of a trail. IT is adjacent to hermann park; crosses the brays bayou greenway on an elevated bridge; is adjacent to bennett mills park; is adjacent to recreational fields at texas southern university; and is adjacent to recreational facilities at dodson elementary school.