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
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.
The business community continues to see transportation one of the most important issues facing the region. Last week’s issue of the Greater Austin Chamber’s electronic newsletter @theChamber asked what issue the Legislature should focus on in the next session. The results, reported in this week’s issue, placed transportation as the top priority with one-third of the votes - nearly equal to the next two runner-ups, education spending and healthcare, combined.
Below the media advisory announcing the “Take on Traffic” press conference that will take place on Tuesday, February 20 at 10:00 AM at Zilker Park.
The “Take on Traffic” education campaign is an expansion of CATC’s Transportation Advocacy Program (TAP) effort. The campaign, with support from business groups such as the Greater Austin Chamber, the Real Estate Council of Austin, CATC, and others, seeks to provide an accurate assessment of the Central Texas area’s transportation challenges and promote a regional comprehensive transportation plan.
Directions to the press conference: turn off Barton Springs Road at the booth as if heading to the Springs, veer left and pass the first lot - the conference will be held in the eastern most lot closest to the bridge.
Sen. Kirk Watson announces the filing of SB 688 - Tolls Transparency and Accountability Act, which you may have read about in today’s news (Austin American Statesman). A copy of the bill text in .pdf format is available at http://catransco.org/Documents/Legis/State/SB00668.pdf
Briefly, the bill would:
An article from the Austin Chronicle comparies projections regarding the gas tax increase amount necessary to cover the projected funding gap for the eight statewide urban area transportation needs - the amount beyond those eight MPO’s constrained long-range regional plans. For the CAMPO area, the shortfall for infrastructure outside of the 2030 Plan and the Phase II toll roads is about $10 billion.
