UTP public involvement
Unified Transportation Program (UTP)
General public participation and two-way communication is essential to a Unified Transportation Plan (UTP) project’s success, as it helps create a more transparent and representative project decision-making process. TxDOT-sponsored public events allow residents and other interested parties to express support, concerns or suggestions directly to TxDOT staff. While not a final step prior to the start of project construction, members of the public do have multiple opportunities to engage with and provide comments to their local TxDOT districts during the pre-construction process. Since each project must be awarded funding to proceed, local community engagement and support increases the likelihood of a project receiving funding.
Public involvement in TxDOT planning and the Unified Transportation Plan (UTP)
As part of the UTP public involvement effort, TxDOT conducts a public meeting and a public hearing. The purpose of the public hearing is to receive public input on the development of the upcoming year’s UTP, including the highway project selection process related to the UTP. The public is able to join the meeting and hearing virtually through links below and by phone. After each event, the presentation and recordings are made available for viewing on this page.
The following describes the full range of TxDOT involvement opportunities available to the public. See the Strategic Public Engagement Guidance document for more information regarding public involvement.
In addition to individual project workshops and public meetings, TxDOT hosts a public meeting, public comment period and public hearing prior to presenting the UTP document for adoption by the Texas Transportation Commission.
The public can join the meeting and hearing virtually. Meeting and hearing presentations and recordings are made available for viewing on this page after the conclusion of each event.
The Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan’s (SLRTP) strategic goals guide UTP funding distribution and project selection, effectively making the SLRTP the initial chance for the public to provide input on the UTP.
Additional public involvement opportunities that directly impact the UTP include stakeholder workshops, TxDOT district office outreach initiatives, public meetings and hearings held during TxDOT planning for individual projects or transportation plans.
See TxDOT Transportation Planning for additional non-UTP public involvement opportunities.
| Date and Time | Topic | Recordings and Presentations |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual public meeting | ||
| Virtual public hearing |
UTP public comments
The UTP seeks public comments on the funding distributions, highway project listings and the document as a whole. All comments received are reviewed for further consideration. The UTP public comment period dates and times are listed below (when dates and times are determined).
| Comment period (start date) | Comment period (end date and time) |
Please use the following resource links related to submitting UTP public comments:
- Online Comment Form
- Phone: xxx-xxx-xxx-xxxx (toll-free)
- Postal mail: Texas Department of Transportation, Unified Transportation Program Update, 125 East 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701
Note: Comments received during the UTP comment period will appear in the UTP Public Comment Log (link to be provided at conclusion of the public comment period).
Special accommodations
The public meeting and public hearing are conducted in English. Persons who have special communication or accommodation needs are encouraged to contact the TxDOT Transportation Planning and Programming Division by phone at 1-800-687-8108. Requests should be made at least three working days prior to a public meeting and/or public hearing. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these needs. Please be aware that advance notice is requested as some accommodations may require time for TxDOT to arrange.