TXDOT is hosting an open house and present plans for safety improvements on SH 71 in western Travis County tonight from 5:00 - 8:00 PM tonight.
TXDOT representatives will be available to answer questions regarding current safety and highway plans. All citizens are invited to attend and share their comments regarding the proposed projects on Hwy 71.
Location:Bee Cave Elementary @ 14300 Hamilton Pool Road in Austin
The TXDOT Austin District’s courtesy patrol - the H.E.R.O. (Highway Emergency Response Operator) program - is another victim of the agency’s budget problems. The program loses funding February 1.
The patrol program, in operation for eight years, helped keep traffic congestion down by helping stalled and disabled vehicles. The service helped over 3,000 vehicles statewide in 2007.
TXDOT’s courtesy patrol to be eliminated - KXAN
Courtesy patrol likely on the chopping block - Austin American-Statesman
With TXDOT budget cuts trickling down to the local levels, Austin District Engineer Bob Daigh predicts that the district could rely on the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) to pick up the slack.
The Austin District’s right-of-way budget has been cut in half and the consultant budget was decreased by 57%. As of February, added capacity projects will be halted through the end of the fiscal year. Worse news: budget reductions could remain in place through 2009.
To help ease the burden, the Austin District is negotiating with the CTRMA to begin design work on projects that the District no longer has the budget for, including five toll projects approved in the CAMPO 2030 Plan and MoPac managed express lanes.