Toll road authority outlines Hempstead planning, mobility auditing and service upgrades

Harris County Toll Road Authority Executive Director Roberto Trevino told commissioners the authority’s FY2026 proposed budget is about $420 million and described priorities that include starting detailed planning for the Hempstead Corridor, auditing mobility fund coding and preparing the system for large events.

Trevino said the authority absorbed pay‑parity and service costs while holding overall operating budgets steady: “The proposed budget for this year is 420,000,000, which when you take out the carryover is 1,500,000.0 less than last year's proposed budget,” he said. He said recent operational changes — including permanent removal of cash booths and a new toll services arrangement with TxDOT — have required the authority to stabilize new operating models.

Trevino said Hempstead — a 30‑plus‑mile corridor project intended to improve northwest mobility — will require hiring outside planning talent to produce cost estimates and revenue projections. He also told commissioners HECTRA is building an audit and coding process in coordination with precinct offices so mobility dollars can be aggregated and reported transparently.

The authority said it has already begun work to improve system appearance and cleaning frequencies ahead of next year’s major events (for example the World Cup). Trevino noted efforts on sustainability and energy savings for HECTRA facilities and said the agency is incorporating best‑practice design standards into capital projects.

Ending: Trevino asked court offices to coordinate on mobility coding and said HECTRA will schedule training with precinct offices to ensure transfers align with statute and are auditable.