Why are we doing it?

The transportation system that we depend on in our state and country is a cornerstone of our prosperity and quality of life. You use it to go to work, soccer games, the doctor. Your employer uses it to deliver products and services. Ambulances and firefighters use it. You get the picture. Given the sheer size of our state, a well-managed transportation system is critical for Texans.

Right now, however, we face increased congestion, deteriorating roads, safety issues, and air pollution, all of which hinder mobility as well as current and future economic opportunities.

Behind these problems are some basic realities:

During the past 25 years in Texas:

Population increased 57%
Road use grew 95%
State road capacity grew 8%

During the next 25 years in Texas:

Population is estimated to increase 64%
Road use is estimated to grow 214%
Without new funding methods, state road capacity will only grow 6%

This is not only obvious to Texans who live in the biggest cities, but it is a fact that our rural roads—Farm-to-Market and Ranch Roads—are also experiencing an increase in vehicles. Our entire state is growing, which will ultimately burden all of our roads in one way or another, whether through congestion or additional wear and tear.

It is clear that Texas' current and future transportation system needs are significant. But current funding mechanisms simply can't keep up. Not only do the materials for building cost more, but our main source of funding—the motor fuels tax—has not been adjusted in over a decade. The needs simply exceed the means available to pay for them.

Unless, that is, we pursue the innovative ideas that promise to solve many of the transportation problems we now face.

Across the state, we are doing this. We are approving Regional Mobility Authorities to expedite construction projects, opening new corridors with toll roads, negotiating Comprehensive Development Agreements to bring new money to our construction budget, distributing the Texas Mobility Fund to expedite construction projects, awarding revenues from the Safety Bond Program to finance safety-related projects and signing pass-through financing contracts to permit local and regional governments to move quickly on local and regional construction projects. In every corner of the state we are moving forward to improve our transportation system.

For more information on our vision, read our Strategic Plan. (3.9 mb)

For more information on our innovative strategies, read TxDOT: Open for Business. (1.1 mb)