FORT BEND COUNTY, TX-Precinct 4 Commissioner James Patterson was awarded the distinguished “Road Hand Award” by Tom Alford with the Texas Department of Transportation at a recent Houston Galveston Area Council Transportation Policy Council meeting.
Each year, TxDOT administration and the Texas Transportation Commission jointly choose five Road Hand Award recipients in the state, for their dedication and service to transportation. Award recipients have their names inscribed on the Road Hand Hall of Honor Plaque which hangs prominently in the foyer of the historic Dewitt C. Greer Highway building in Austin.
Patterson’s contributions to transportation in Fort Bend County include taking a leadership role in two Fort Bend Mobility Committees that led to the successful passage of $233 million dollars in bond issues to improve and expand current roadways in the county. Patterson also led the effort to create the first Public Transportation Department in Fort Bend to allow the county to compete for public funding. Currently, he serves on the Transportation Policy Committee representing the eight county Houston Galveston area metropolitan planning organization, a group that provides policy guidance and coordination of transportation planning activities in the Houston-Galveston region. Patterson previously served as Chairman of this group and chaired the Senate Bill 1420 Committee which decided the delivery method for three segments of the Grand Parkway which are currently under design.
“Commissioner Patterson has long been the court’s “go to” guy on major transportation issues. He well deserves this recognition,” said County Judge Robert Hebert.
The Road Hand Award was established in 1973 by Luther DeBerry, a former State Highway Engineer, to serve as the highest tribute to public-spirited citizens who championed transportation projects in their area.
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