Council authorizes METRO funds for new Morton Road intersection signal despite timing concerns from members

KATY, Texas — The Katy City Council voted Aug. 11 to authorize KDA to use up to $1,909,995.83 in METRO funds for roadway improvements and a traffic signal at the new intersection serving The Green at Katy Park and a developer roadway off Morton Road.

The council discussion focused on motorists’ experience, the proximity of multiple signals along Morton Road and how the new intersection will be coordinated with nearby signals owned and operated by Harris County.

“There's another trust,” Councilmember Dan Smith moved the item and the motion was seconded and approved. Staff described the proposed location as the intersection of Katy Hockley Cutoff and a new road that will extend north into the development near Morton Road and said a warrant study supports a new signal.

“...it has been a warrant study,” a staff member said, confirming the signal is supported by an engineering traffic study. Staff also said the new signal will be Harris County‑owned and maintained and that county ownership makes it easier to time the signal with neighboring county signals.

Several council members said they drive the corridor regularly and are wary of adding more signals where several are already within a short distance. Councilmember Roy Robertson said adding another signal “is just going to be a hindrance” and described long travel times through the corridor. Councilmember Gina Hicks questioned whether existing signals are timed effectively and urged staff to press Harris County for coordinated timing.

Staff described the technical approach to coordination: county signals can be linked by fiber or timing feeds so one signal’s cycle cues the next; staff said that will be requested for this intersection so that traffic progression can be improved.

Why it matters

The intersection will serve a large commercial development and a new north‑south road that city engineers said could divert traffic away from the Katy‑Fort Bend Road intersection. Council members noted the potential for the new signal both to relieve congestion at other intersections and to create new delay points if timing is not handled correctly.

What council decided

Council approved using METRO funds for the roadway and signal work. Staff will coordinate with Harris County on ownership, timing and signal integration.

Provenance (transcript excerpts)

- Topic introduced: “Consider resolution authorizing KDA to use METRO funds for construction of roadway improvements and traffic signal modifications in an amount up to $1,909,995.83 for the green at Katy Park.” (transcript at 00:26:53–00:27:07 agenda item 7gi)

- Discussion and final approval: council debate and voice vote recorded following staff explanation of the warrant study and Harris County ownership (transcript 00:27:36–00:36:00).