Apr 03
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Sen. Kirk Watson has proposed improvements for a dangerous segment of SH 71 using a newly-created “safety fund.” Watson wants to establish a long-term safety fund which would initially set aside $30 million of the $65 million from TXDOT’s allocation for toll road projects on SH 71 and US 290, and get matching funds from local governments. Eventually the fund could be sustained by toll revenues via the CTRMA. The plan will require approval by the CAMPO Board.
TXDOT has already implemented short-term improvements, including adding water-absorbent pavement and roughening the pavement. In addition, the Texas Transportation Commission reduced speed in the area from 65 to 60 mph.
TXDOT hopes to get environmental approval for the $850,000 barrier project by Jul 1 and have them in place by the end of the year or early 2009. A public hearing for environmental approval is scheduled for Apr 24.
Plan pitches barriers for dangerous part of 71 - Austin American-Statesman
Apr 01
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has named Joe Cantalupo as the agency’s new Executive Director, replacing Michael Aulick who resigned in January 2008 after 15 years on the job.
Cantalupo, a senior planning manager with Parsons Brinckerhoff, was chosen out of six candidates for the position.
CAMPO names new exec dir - Austin Business Journal
Apr 01
Due to the state agency’s financial difficulties, TXDOT doesn’t have funding for the planned expansion of FM 1460, which are need to serve major business projects such as has Seton Medical Center Williamson and the Round Rock Higher Education Center. As a result, the cities of Round Rock and Georgetown, along with Williamson County and private developers, are considering jointly paying for the project. However, if they do so, the road will be removed from the state system, leaving the local jurisdictions to responsible for maintenance.
Williamson governments set to pay for building state road - Austin American-Statesman
Mar 31
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)
Mar 30
The Editorial Board at the Statesman recommends adding extra shuttles to help cash-strapped students survive high gas prices.
UT’s wheels should be turning on better busing plan
Mar 27
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.
Mar 27
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
Mar 20
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.
Mar 12
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
Mar 07
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
