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Transportation officials fulfill requirements to propose rules to convert state highways to toll facilities
State transportation officials have proposed new rules concerning
the conversion of state highways to toll facilities. The action
fulfills the requirements of House Bill 3588, passed during
the 78th Legislature. The bill also gives TxDOT flexibility
in deciding whether to develop a non-toll highway as a toll
facility or allow a regional mobility authority or county
to do so. Written comments for the proposed rules will be
accepted through Dec. 15.
January TxDOT Highway Letting Dates
The December Texas Department of Transportation's highway
letting is scheduled for Jan. 8 and 9. According to a Nov.
3 report, 95 projects are approved to be let with an estimated
total value of $291,749,842.
The report also cited that projects may be added, advanced
or delayed as deemed necessary.
New Rules Proposed For Regional Mobility
Authorities And Toll Roads
State transportation officials recently proposed rules concerning
the conversion of state highways to toll facilities. The Texas
Transportation Commission is seeking public comment on proposed
rules allowing TxDOT to convert non-toll highways to toll
facilities or authorizing a regional mobility authority or
county to do so.
The action fulfills requirements of House Bill 3588, passed
during the 78th Legislature. The bill repealed the existing
statutes governing RMAs and expanded their ability to construct,
maintain and operate various transportation projects.
RMAs were authorized by the 77th Legislature in an effort
to accelerate needed transportation projects and approved
by Texas voters in 2001.
Through an RMA, counties can establish an authority to develop,
construct and maintain local turnpike projects as part of
the state highway system.
Last year, the commission approved the state's first RMA to
serve Travis and Williamson counties. As its initial project,
the Central Texas RMA intends to develop U.S. 183-A, a reliever
route to U.S. 183 in the area of Cedar Park and Leander.
Public Transportation Advisory Committee Named
State officials appointed an advisory committee that will
provide input into addressing public transportation issues.
At its monthly meeting in late October, the Texas Transportation
Commission appointed the Public Transportation Advisory Committee.
The committee will advise the commission on public transportation
matters related to and including the allocation of state and
federal funds and the coordination of all public transportation
services provided throughout the state.
Nine members comprise the Public Transportation Advisory Committee.
Four represent public transportation providers; three represent
public transportation users; and two represent the general
public. Committee members and their terms are:
Bob Geyer, El Paso - Provider - Term expires Sept.
30
Vastene Olier, Columbus - Provider - Term expires
Sept. 30
Vinsen Faris, Godley - User - Term expires Sept.
30
Paulette Shelton, Galveston - Provider - Term expires
Sept. 30, 2005
Thomas King, Tyler - User - Term expires Sept. 30,
2005
Oscar Trevino, North Richland Hills - Public - Term
expires Sept. 30, 2005
Fred Gilliam, Austin - Provider - Term expires Sept.
30, 2006
Donna Halstead, Dallas - Public - Term expires Sept.
30, 2006
Mark Maddy, Brownsville - User - Term expires Sept.
30, 2006
The committee was formerly appointed by the governor, lieutenant
governor and speaker. The changes to the appointments of the
Public Transportation Advisory Committee are a result of House
Bill 3588, passed by the 78th Texas Legislature.
New Construction Started On U.S. Highway 287
Construction of U.S. Hwy. 287, a new location four-lane
divided highway that bypasses Midlothian to the south and
includes a new interchange at U.S. Highway 67, got underway
in late October.
The contract will be a joint effort between J.D. Abrams and
T.J. Lambrecht. The $46,661,912 project has an estimated completion
date of October 2006.
The new highway is estimated to carry 15,000 vehicles per
day. In Ellis County there are 117,245 vehicles registered,
and motorists travel 3,806,848 miles on a daily basis.
$1 Billion Landmark
With the close of Fiscal Year 2003, the Texas Department
of Transportation's Houston District concluded the single
largest year for dollar volume of construction and maintenance
in its history.
More than $1billion in construction funds alone was awarded
this year in the six-county Houston District, resulting in
the largest dollar payments to contractors in the district
ever.
In June, a record-breaking $73 million, the largest sum ever
paid in a single month, was paid by the district for work
completed.
"This is twice the volume of construction compared to
last year," said Gabriel Y. Johnson, PE, director of
transportation planning and development, "The mobility
needs in the region, as identified by the many corridor studies
currently completed and under way, will set the trends for
future letting volumes."
Currently there is more than $1.9 billion in highway construction
under way in the Houston District. This dollar volume also
includes installation of advanced electronic systems for Houston
TranStar, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds, State
Transportation Program funds, landscaping and enhancement
projects, a federal bridge replacement program and the wholly
state-funded Principal Arterial Surface System.
"This is not an isolated peak," said Charles Gaskin,
PE, director of construction for the Houston District. "It
marks a new plateau for future construction. Next year is
already shaping up to be comparable to this year."
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