November TxDOT Highway Letting Dates

The Texas Department of Transportation has scheduled its next highway letting for Nov. 9 and 10. Sixty-seven projects are approved to be let with an estimated total of $238,946,188.

A TxDOT report said projects may be added, advanced or delayed as deemed necessary.

Zachry Awarded Toll-Road Contract

The Texas Transportation Commission recently approved a proposal from San Antonio-based Zachry Construction Corp. for the design and construction of State Highway 45SE toll road south of Austin and authorized TxDOT to begin contract discussions with Zachry for development of the turnpike.

Several companies representing a broad range of expertise comprise the Zachry team.

TxDOT is using a contractual arrangement known as a Comprehensive Development Agreement for the SH 45SE project, the second such contract the department has awarded. With a CDA, the department contracts with a single entity or consortium of companies to deliver project components including design, construction, right-of-way services, utility adjustments and environmental reviews.

"Selecting the developer for the project was a careful and thorough process," said Bob Daigh, Austin district engineer for TxDOT. "Cost, schedule, technical approach and team qualifications were all carefully evaluated to ensure that the public gets the highest value for its dollar."

The SH 45SE turnpike will link Interstate 35 at FM 1327, north of Buda, to the junction of SH 130 and U.S. 183 near Mustang Ridge. The 7.4-mi.-long highway will have four lanes with controlled access and a wide center median. As traffic warrants and funding is identified, the roadway could be expanded.

SH 45SE is planned to be open to traffic by December 2007.

$20.5 Million Drafted for Infrastructure Improvements at Fort Hood

Gov. Rick Perry recently announced a $20.5 million commitment to bolster the state's chances of securing expanded military operations at Fort Hood as part of the Federal Base Realignment and Closure process.

The commitment-made through the Texas Department of Transportation-would be used to build new and improve existing roads and other infrastructure needed to support expanded operations if the U.S. Department of Defense decides to increase operations at Fort Hood in Killeen.

"In Texas, we are proud of our servicemen and women, value the contributions made by our 18 military installations and appreciate the fact that the military's presence pumps $49 billion into our state's economy," Perry said in his announcement.

Perry added that if the Department of Defense decides to add 5,000 new soldiers and civilian employees to Fort Hood, "Texas will make more than $20 million in infrastructure improvements necessary to support their stationing."

The infrastructure projects include an extension of State Highway 195 at Fort Hood Street, an overpass ammunition route on State Highway 190, an alternate route to relieve traffic at the intersection of Mohawk and Clear Creek roads and a widening of Tank Destroyer Boulevard.

Perry said he has notified U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Raymond Dubois of the state's commitment to these projects should the military expand its Fort Hood personnel.

State Prepares for Second Round of Colonia Roadway Improvements

The Texas Department of Transportation recently began seeking nominations for road improvement projects in border colonias-impoverished communities along the state's border with Mexico.

The action came after Gov. Rick Perry asked the Texas Public Finance Authority to issue $50 million in bonds to fund road improvements for border colonias.

"With half a million Texans living in 2,300 colonia communities, we have much more work to do," Perry said in a released statement. "For colonia children to be able to learn in school, or adults to be able to report for work on time, the most basic infrastructure must be in place to ensure school buses and passenger vehicles can get in and out of colonias safely."

In 2001 Texas voters approved a $175 million bond package to support the road improvement program.

The Texas Transportation Commission approved the first $50 million round of projects in 2002. To date, 274 projects have been funded in 21 counties. About 25 percent of those projects are complete and most of the remaining projects are in the final construction phase.

Project selection will be based on the number of people to be served by a project, current condition of area roadways and a project's relationship to an existing or planned school bus route.