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We will: Reduce congestion • Enhance safety • Expand economic development
• Improve air quality • Increase the value of transportation assets |
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January 29, 2007 |
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USDOT Model Legislation for PPPs Published
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently published model legislation for states wanting to utilize public-private partnerships (PPPs) to fund transportation projects. The model legislation is based upon existing PPP laws in 21 states, including Texas. These new state laws indicate a broad evolution for PPPs, a funding mechanism not widely considered in the United States only a few years ago.
The model legislation is based on 28 key elements identified by the USDOT as essential to the ability of a state to negotiate a successful PPP project. The model legislation is intended to provide guidance and act as a starting point for individual states. It is part of the USDOT drive to tackle what Transportation Secretary Mary Peters describes as the “growing stranglehold that congestion is placing on America’s transportation network.”
The Texas Legislature has enacted versions of 25 of the 28 key elements, more than any other state. Examples of the key elements include eligible modes of transportation (highways, mass transit, railroads, airports, seaports, etc.), tolling methodology, procurement methods, leasing requirements, and project eligibility.
The publication of this model legislation confirms what Texans learned some time ago; that the gasoline tax can no longer fully provide for the state’s transportation needs, and that innovative methods are required to tackle our most pressing mobility challenges.
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Policy on Toll Exemptions During Emergencies Approved
In the interest of public safety, tolls will be exempted on state toll roads to allow for expedited travel in times of disasters and emergencies.
To facilitate mass evacuations when necessary, a new toll exemption policy authorizes the exemption from tolls for all vehicles in the event of a declared emergency or natural disaster.
This new policy, approved January 25 by the Texas Transportation Commission, applies to all motorists in times of disaster. Additionally, first responders will be given free passage on Austin toll roads when responding to emergencies. For other state toll roads, toll exemptions for first responders will be given while they are on duty.
The toll exemption policy lists emergency vehicles, defined by state law, as fire and police vehicles, including volunteer firefighters; ambulances and certified emergency medical services; industrial emergency response vehicles and blood and tissue bank vehicles.
“This intra-agency cooperation provides opportunities for cross-jurisdiction teamwork between all agencies, including Homeland Security,” said Jayne Peters, a member of the Coppell City Council, who read a prepared statement to the commission on behalf of the cities of Carrollton, Coppell, Grapevine, Lewisville and The Colony.
“We believe that the presence of marked police and emergency vehicles on our toll roads provides the traveling public with an additional sense of safety awareness and acts as a deterrent for unsafe driving practices,” said Peters.
Military vehicles are also toll exempt on state toll roads. On the Central Texas Turnpike System, military vehicles are only toll exempt during war or other emergency.
TxTags® are available by calling (888) 468-9824, visiting www.txtag.org, or visiting the customer service center at 12719 Burnet Road in Austin.
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State Infrastructure Bank Loan Approved for Liberty City
On January 25, the Texas Transportation Commission approved an application for a State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) loan submitted by the Liberty City Water Supply Corporation for more than half a million dollars.
The loan will help pay for the utility relocation along SH 135 from I-20, northwest to Susan Road in Liberty City. SH 135 will expand from two lanes to a four-lane divided highway, contributing to the department goals of enhancing safety, reducing congestion and increasing the value of transportation assets.
SIB loans aim to provide innovative financing options to help communities meet their infrastructure needs. Additionally, the SIB program allows borrowers to access capital funds at, or lower than, market interest rates.
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TxDOT Annual Summary Available Online
Each year, the Texas Department of Transportation releases its annual summary. This document serves as an update on the progress made on goals outlined in the agency’s strategic plan.
This year’s summary, titled “TxDOT: Meeting the Challenge,” takes a closer look at “TxDOT Has a Plan,” the department’s strategic vision for 2007-2011. Items discussed include reducing congestion through the opening of new toll roads in Central Texas and the influx of private-sector capital for investment in Texas infrastructure, as well as the expanding of economic opportunity through the TxDOT: Open for Business initiative, among other things.
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2nd Annual Texas Transportation Forum
Discussing ways to "Keep Texas Moving" is the focus of the 2nd Annual Texas Transportation Forum, which will be held on July 18-20 in Austin.
Local, regional and state leaders will join national experts in examining innovative ways to reduce congestion, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality and increase the value of existing assets. Forum hosts include the Associated General Contractors of Texas, the Texas Good Roads Transportation Association, the Texas Transportation Institute and the Texas Department of Transportation.
Registation is available online. We look forward to seeing you at this year’s forum.
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