Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority (CMTA) Chair Lee Walker has announced his intention to resign from the CMTA Board following the May meeting. Walker has been Chair since 1997.
Capital Metro leader who pushed for rail resigns - Austin American-Statesman (Apr 1)
CapMetro Chair to resign - Austin Business Journal
Walker riding off into CapMetro sunset - Austin American-Statesman (Apr7)
The Editorial Board at the Statesman recommends adding extra shuttles to help cash-strapped students survive high gas prices.
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) is considering five responses to its request for potential financial partners, including Citigroup, Balfour Beatty Capital, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sacs. The CTRMA expects to select one of the firms by April and then must determine exactly how to finance the proposed road projects.
Proof that Austin is still growing (and we’ve got the traffic congestion to prove it!) : the US Census Bureau released data showing that the Austin metro area is the fifth-fastest growing in the nation. Austin’s population increased by 4.3% in 2007.
Austin fifth fastest-growing metro area in nation - Austin Business Journal
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is soliciting comments on requested Surface Transportation Program Metropolitan - Mobility projects (STP MM), Job Access and Reverse Commute, New Freedom, and Transportation Improvement Program amendments. Comments may be submitted via On-line Questionnaire or by email to Art Zamorano by March 21.
Comment on the following categories:
The CATC Board of Directors endorsed the Howard Lane project and the TXDOT HERO program at the Mar 20 meeting. The following comments were submitted to CAMPO by CATC Executive Director Bruce Byron:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Capital Area Transportation Coalition, I would like to express our total support for Project FRM-4 - Howard Ln. Phase II as our first priority. Howard Lane is a critical connection from northeast Austin to a currently unutilized grade crossing and ramps in SH130. The extra cost of the grade crossing and ramps were specifically added to facilitate this connection. Moreover, it leverages $11.5 million in local funds with only $6 million in Federal Funds. It is Travis County’s first priority as well as being a major priority for the City of Austin. It is clearly a regionally significant project.
Our second priority is the support of Project OS-3 - TxDOT’s HERO program which was recently unfunded due to TxDOT’s budget shortages. The HERO program is a very cost effective way of providing assistance to motorists that otherwise would cause a traffic problem. Such incidents are believed to cause the majority of congestion delay nationally and are clearly a problem locally. The region needs to expand this program not eliminate it.
In a letter sent yesterday, Texas legislators urged TXDOT to borrow $1.5 billion by bonding gas tax revenues as a short-term solution to get road construction projects moving again. (The Legislature authorized TxDOT to borrow up to $6 billion against the gas tax and the agency has issued $2.9 billion to date). In return, legislators promise to cut back gas tax diversions on non-roadway expenditures. The letter was signed by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, House Speaker Tom Craddick, Senate Finance Chairman Steve Ogden and House Appropriations Chairman Warren Chisum.
TxDOT’s response was to demur to the Governor, whose response was less than enthusiastic. A Perry spokesman said the Governor was looking for long-term, not stop-gap, solutions.
Legislators suggest TxDOT borrow money for projects
Borrow more for roads, legislators urge transportation department Austin American-Statesman
Dewhurst: Go forth and borrow Austin American-Statesman
The Dallas Morning News reported that North Texas Toll Authority Board Member William Meadows has been approached by Gov. Perry’s office regarding appointment to the state transportation commission. The Commission is currently short a member due to the December 2007 death of Commission Chair Ric Williamson. Meadows, a Fort Worth insurance executive, said he would serve if appointed by the Governor.
NTTA official may serve on Texas Transportation Commission - Dallas Morning News
Envision Central Texas is assessing the progress of their regional vision through a series of meetings in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson Counties in March and April and an online questionnaire.
House
Mar 6 @ 1:30 PM - Subcommittee: Corridor Planning Organizations
Mar 26 @ 10:00 AM - Subcommittee: Bus Lanes
Mar 26 @ 1:00 PM - Handicapped Parking
Mar 27 @ 10:00 AM - DRM and Trauma Infrastructure
Senate
May 20 @ 8:00 AM - Transportation and Homeland Security