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State Works to Accelerate Transportation Projects
06/14/2007
Moving quickly to implement recent transportation legislation, state transportation officials today initiated a new process to work with local officials—including local toll road authorities—to accelerate projects to reduce congestion and improve safety.
At a special meeting in Austin, the commission authorized the Texas Department of Transportation to work with local toll entities, such as regional tollway authorities, regional mobility authorities and counties, to begin moving forward on 87 projects that are currently years away from being fully funded.
“These are projects that local officials have said are needed to reduce congestion but are waiting in line for funding. We want to help our local partners build the projects as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Williamson said.
To accelerate improvements, the projects are being proposed by TxDOT for development, construction and operation as toll projects.
Senate Bill 792, signed this week by Governor Perry, gives local toll entities the first option to develop, construct and operate toll projects in their jurisdiction.
Before initiating a toll project on the state highway system, SB 792 requires the local toll authority and TxDOT to agree on terms and conditions for the project, including the initial toll rate and the methodology for changing the rate. The law also requires a market valuation of the project be developed to determine what the project is worth.
