However, the project ultimately depends on whether the county would be awarded the federal fund it is seeking. Projects throughout the nation are vying for the $1.5 billion Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grants, which are part of the so-called “stimulus money” under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
In The News
This is a follow-up reminder to the notice sent earlier in April regarding the upcoming open-house meeting in Houston, TX.
As previously noted, we at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are updating our Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan, and are asking for your help in developing this blueprint for how Texas addresses its future transportation needs.
This plan will provide a framework for developing and implementing a multi-modal transportation system through 2035, including highways, rail, water ports, airports, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, pipelines and Intelligent Transportation Systems. The Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan is the foundation for many planning efforts underway at TxDOT.
Because transportation is important to all Texans, we are holding two rounds of open-house meetings to encourage comments and questions about the plan. Following the public meetings, the feedback we receive will be analyzed for development of the plan. We anticipate submitting a plan for final public comment and adoption by the Texas Transportation Commission later this fall.
Again, we hope you will be able to participate in this important planning process. Your input is vital for TxDOT to fulfill its mission of providing safe, effective and efficient movement of people and goods throughout Texas.
The attached newsletter provides times, locations and other details regarding all the scheduled meetings.
The Thursday, May 6th meeting in Houston is scheduled from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the TxDOT District Office which is located at 7600 Washington Avenue.
To read about the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan and how you can get involved go to: http://www.txdot.gov/public_involvement/transportation_plan/default.htm
For more information on where and when open-house meetings will be held, go to: http://www.txdot.gov/public_involvement/transportation_plan/public_involvement.htm
And if you would like to receive future updates on the Plan, please sign up at: http://www.txdot.gov/public_involvement/transportation_plan/default.htmTexas Department of Transportation * 125 E. 11th Street * Austin, TX 78701 * (512) 463-8585
will provide an inventory of all transportation modes and address the need for improvements to roadways, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, transit, freight and passenger rail, airports, water ports,pipelines, and Intelligent Transportation Systems.
Amadeo Saenz, Jr., P.E.
Executive Director, Texas Department of Transportation
Help Shape the Futureof TexasApril 2010
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is developing the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan 2035 in order to plan for the future growth of Texas and meet federal requirements. This Plan will establish a framework for TxDOT to address the challenges of our aging infrastructure, urban densification, and a growing population. Added to these continuing issues are increasing demand for travel between metro areas and a need for focus on sustainability. Some current statistics about our dynamic state include:■■ Between 2000 and 2007, Texas grew by 22%, adding 4.5 million residents.
■■ In 2008, 7.9% of all U.S. roadways and 7.7% of U.S. vehicle miles traveled (VMT) were in Texas.
Truck VMT in Texas was 11% of the U.S. total.■■ Texas maintains over 80,000 center-line miles of roadway and more than 33,000 bridges across the state.
■■ Public transit provided 302 million passenger trips in 2008.■■ In 2008, 70 million passengers boarded planes in Texas.
■■ Texas has four of the top five border crossings between Mexico and the US. In 2008, 45.5 millioncars, trucks, and buses crossed our border with Mexico.
■■ 17% of U.S. tonnage was shipped through Texas ports in 2007.
■■ Between 2001 and 2009, TxDOT invested $3.2 billion to replace or rehabilitate 2,374 bridges.
Texas in the Future
By 2035, Texas will add 15.6 million residents, growing by 61%:
■■ The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex will almost double (96% increase) by 2035.
■■ Houston will add the equivalent of ¾ of a Houston to its population by 2035.
Open House-Style Public Meeting
for the Statewide Long-Range Transportation
Plan 2035
Please join us to help shape the future of Texas:
■■ Help guide where and how transportation dollars should be spent
■■ View exhibits and watch informational videos
■■ Ask questions
■■ Provide written comments
■■ Sign-up for the newsletter mailing list
Persons who have special communication or accommodation needs may call the District Contact listed above. Requests should be made no later than three days prior to the meeting. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate special needs.T
May 11 Abilene Mary Beth Kilgore, 325-676-6806 TxDOT, Abilene Area Office, Large Conference Room, 1350 N. Arnold Blvd, Abilene, TX, 79603May 4 Amarillo Paul Braun, 806-356-3256 TxDOT, Amarillo District Office, HR Conference Center, 5715 Canyon Dr, Amarillo, TX, 79110
May 6 Atlanta Deanne Simmons, 903-799-1308 Jefferson Transportation and Visitors Center, 305 E. Austin, Jefferson, TX, 75657
May 13 Austin Ed Collins, 512-832-7041 TxDOT, Austin District Office, Bldg 7, 7901 North IH 35, Austin, TX, 78753
May 13 Beaumont Phillip Lujan, 409-898-5740 Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, 2210 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, TX, 77703
May 13 Brownwood Sandra Parker, 325-646-2591 (ex. 413) TxDOT, Brownwood District Office, Large Meeting Room, 2495 Hwy 183 North, Brownwood, TX, 76802
May 13 Bryan Bob Appleton, 979-778-2165 Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest Dr, Bryan, TX, 77802
May 4 Childress Barbara Seal, 940-937-7288 TxDOT, Childress District Office, Bldg C Training Room, 7599 US 287, Childress, TX, 79201
May 6 Corpus Christi Paula Sales Evans, 361-808-2222 TxDOT, Corpus Christi District Office, Bldg 2 Training Room, 1701 South Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX, 78416
May 6 Dallas Nasser Askari, 214-320-6628 Farmers Branch City Hall, 13000 William Dodson Parkway, Farmers Branch, TX, 75234
May 13 El Paso Eduardo Calvo, 915-790-4322 The Kokernot Lodge, Loop 223, Alpine, TX, 79830
May 6 Fort Worth Bill Riley, 817-370-6532 TxDOT, Fort Worth District Regional Training Center, 2501 S W Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX, 76133
May 6 Houston Rakesh Tripathi, 713-802-5301 TxDOT, Houston District - Auditorium, 7600 Washington Ave, Houston, TX, 77007
May 4 Laredo Alberto Ramirez, 956-712-7446 TxDOT, Laredo District Office, 1817 Bob Bullock Loop, Laredo, TX, 78043
May 11 Lubbock Dianah Ascencio, 806-748-4472 TxDOT, Lubbock District Office Training Center, 135 Slaton Rd, Lubbock, TX, 79404
May 4 Lufkin Kathi White, 936-633-4395 TxDOT, Lufkin District Office Regional Conference Room, 1805 N. Timberland Dr, Lufkin, TX, 75901
May 4 Odessa Matt Carr, 432-498-4761 TxDOT, Odessa District Office, Large Conference Room, 3901 E. Hwy 80, Odessa, TX, 79761
May 13 Paris Rick Mackey, 903-737-9300 (ex. 375) Sam Rayburn Student Center, Texas A&M University, 2200 West Neal St, Commerce, TX 75428
May 11 Pharr Amy Rodriguez, 956-702-6100 (ex. 102) Pharr Convention Center, 3000 North Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577
May 10 San Angelo John DeWitt, 325-947-9265 TxDOT, San Angelo District Office, Training Room, 4502 Knickerbocker Rd, San Angelo, TX, 76904
May 12 San Antonio Laura Lopez, 210-615-5839 VIA Metro Center Board Room, 1021 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX, 78212
May 6 Tyler Glenn Green, 903-510-9220/9135 Maude Cobb Convention Center, 100 Grand Blvd, Longview, TX, 75604
May 5 Waco Ed Kabobel, 254-867-2700 (x731) Central Texas Council of Governments, 2180 North Main St, Belton, TX, 76513
May 13 Waco Ed Kabobel, 254-867-2700 (x731) Waco Transit Administration Building, 301 North 8th St, Waco, TX, 76701
May 6 Wichita Falls Adele Lewis, 940-720-7728 TxDOT, Wichita Falls District Training Center, Large Classroom, 1601 Southwest Parkway, Wichita Falls, TX, 76302
May 4 Yoakum Paul Frerich, 361-293-4347 TxDOT, Yoakum District Office, Training Room, 403 Huck St, Yoakum, TX, 77995
Get involved and stay connected:
■■ Attend an open house-style public meeting
■■ Visit our website at http://www.txdot.gov/public_involvement/transportation_plan/
■■ Email us at TPP_TxTranPlan@dot.state.tx.us
■■Write to:Peggy Thurin, P.E., Project Manager
Statewide Transportation Plan 2035
4544 Post Oak Place, #224
Houston, Texas, 77027
■■ Call us toll-free at 1-888-5-TX-PLAN(1-888-589-7526)
■■ Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
mendationsP U B L I C C O M M E N T S W E L C O M E
Feb 2010 Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan 2035 Schedule Oct 2010
To the People of Texas:
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is currently updating the long-range, multimodal statewide transportation plan, and I would like to personally invite you to participate in its development. Years before a specific project is proposed for design, construction, and implementation, TxDOT must plan on a broader scale for the overall safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of the entire transportation system across the state – even the integration of modes of transport such as privately-owned rail, ports, and pipeline that are not directly operated or maintained by TxDOT. The Statewide Long-Range Transportation
Plan 2035 will provide an inventory of all transportation modes and address the need for improvements to roadways, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, transit, freight and passenger rail, airports, water ports, pipelines, and Intelligent Transportation Systems. The analysis we are undertaking will help Texas plan for improved connectivity between modes and between communities, and enable our multimodal system to operate more efficiently. We want to provide the best value for every transportation dollar spent and we want and need your perspectives and suggestions to guide future decisions. The Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan 2035 is not a listing of projects (although it will include the project listing included in the Unified Transportation Program), but a “blueprint” for the planning process that will guide the collaborative efforts among TxDOT, local and regional decision-makers, and all transportation stakeholders to reach a consensus on needed transportation projects and services. This Plan requires a cooperative process among TxDOT, metropolitan areas, cities, counties, various public and private transportation organizations, and you – the traveling public. Our mission at TxDOT is to provide the public with a safe, efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sensitive statewide transportation system that enhances the quality of life for Texas citizens and increases the competitive position for Texas industry. This process will be conducted in a manner that emphasizes cooperation, accountability, and transparency. Our approach is designed to promote widespread, meaningful participation from our transportation partners, elected officials, industry stakeholders, and all Texans in planning the future of Texas transportation. I encourage you to participate in the planning efforts at both the state and local levels. We want to ensure that your voice is heard, and your ideas and concerns are taken into consideration as decisions are made with regard to your transportation system and the services you depend on for your quality of life. I invite you to provide written comments at an open house-style public meeting, by mail, or on the TxDOT website. Your input is essential to TxDOT’s ability to serve the citizens of and visitors to the State of Texas and to be responsive to your transportation needs.
Sincerely,
Amadeo Saenz, Jr., P.E.
Executive Director, Texas Department of Transportation
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Fort Bend County and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will conduct a public meeting on December 10, 2009 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at River Pointe Community Church located at 5000 Ransom Road, Richmond Texas 77469 to discuss proposed improvements to FM 762/FM 2759 (Crabb River Road). The meeting will be conducted in an open house format, so individuals may attend any time between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on December 10, 2009.
The proposed improvements would widen the existing FM 762/FM 2759 (Crabb River Road) roadway to a 4-lane divided curb and gutter roadway with underground storm sewer drainage. The project limits begin on FM 2759 (Crabb River Road) at US 59 and extend southward to approximately 500 feet south of the new Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (LCISD) middle school/high school complex located on FM 762, a total distance of approximately 3.8 miles. Various design options will be presented at the meeting for public review and comment. Project team members and representatives from Fort Bend County and TxDOT will be present to discuss the project and address questions. Personnel from the TxDOT Right-of-Way Division will be available to discuss the procedures, benefits, and programs, and will provide other information regarding land acquisition.
All interested citizens are invited to attend this meeting to express their views, and discuss the project with members of the project team and Fort Bend County and TxDOT representatives. Those interested in attending the meeting who have special communication or accommodation needs are encouraged to contact the district public information officer at (713) 802-5071 at least two days prior to the meeting. Because the public meeting will be conducted in English, any requests for language interpreters or other special communication needs should also be made at least two days prior to the public meeting. TxDOT will make every reasonable effort to accommodate these needs.
______________________________________________________________________________________
"Fort Bend seeks Federal Funds to Upgrade Crabb River Road"
chronicle By Zen T.C. ZhengAug. 31, 2009, 5:29PM
Fort Bend County officials have decided to spend $600,000 for engineering and environmental services and preparing an application for federal funds to widen Crabb River Road.Precinct 1 County Commissioner Richard Morrison and area residents are pushing for the project. Some local officials, including Rosenberg Mayor Joe Gurecki, also have expressed support.
As an initial step, County Commissioners Aug. 25 directed County Engineer Jesse Hegemier to negotiate an agreement for an amount up to $600,000 with IDC Inc., a Houston engineering firm owned by Richmond City Commissioner Jim Gonzales, to provide engineering and environmental services and preparation of the grant application.
The project is estimated to cost between $70 million and $80 million. Morrison hopes local authorities would pick up 20 percent of the tab to boost the project's chance of getting the federal funding. If all goes well, Morrison believes construction could be completed by the end of 2012.
Proponents say the project would ease traffic congestion that plagues the three-lane roadway through a densely populated neighborhood that includes numerous subdivisions, schools and businesses west of Sugar Land.
A group of residents showed up at the Commissioners Court Aug. 25 in support of the project. They said the project was one of the reasons they voted for Morrison, who lives in Greatwood, one of the subdivisions along Crabb River Road.
Lynn Franklin, President of the Canyon Gate at the Brazos homeowners association, said heavy traffic and safety of the road have become worse with time as more residents moved to the neighborhood. Lamar Consolidated Independent School District's redrawing of school-attendance zones also have “created a nightmare” in traffic, she said.
“This would accommodate growth and improve safety and mobility for everyone,” she said of the project.
According to the proposal, the roughly 3½-mile, three-lane roadway with open ditches would be rebuilt as four lanes with curbs and gutters and a median dividing two lanes in each direction. The project would cross a railroad and continue south as FM 762 to just south of the Lamar CISD's site for a new high school and junior high campus.
As a part of the plan, Crabb River Road would be constructed as an overpass at the rail crossing with turn lanes. The separation of the road from the rail line would make the intersection safer for motorists, Morrison said.
The expansion would run through Rosenberg city limits and the extraterritorial jurisdictions of the cities of Sugar Land and Thompsons.
Once the grant application is submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Morrison said he plans to go to Washington, D.C., to lobby for the project.
“I want to make sure that the application doesn't languish on their desk,” he said.
The application deadline is Sept. 15.zen.zheng@chron.com