Monday, November 1, 2010
Here's our roundup of Texas Department of Transportation news and events. If you have any questions, comments or just want to know more about something you read in here, send a message to AskTxDOT@txdot.gov.
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING ACTIONS
The Texas Transportation Commission convened on October 28, 2010 for its monthly meeting and took the following actions:
- Awarded $313 million in funding via Proposition 14 bond program, including projects along I-35 W in Tarrant County and I-35 E in Denton County.
- Awarded an estimated $4.5 million in federal and state grant funding for capital improvement projects at airports throughout the state.
- Received a report on the construction and public involvement activities along the I-35 corridor.
- Approved a report on the impact of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway on the state.
- Approved adding a bridge project in McLennan County to the I-35 expansion projects to be funded with Proposition 12 bond proceeds.
- Granted final approval to an application from the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) for a State Infrastructure Bank loan up to $39.2 million to pay for construction of Segment 3B of Toll 49 in Smith County.
- Gave preliminary approval to a request from the NETRMA for a toll equity loan up to $90 million for the development and construction of Segment 3B of Toll 49 in Smith County.
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Texas Awarded $5.6 Million For High-Speed Rail Study
Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Texas will receive $5.6 million for planning high-speed intercity passenger rail service from Oklahoma City to Dallas-Fort Worth, with a possible extension to Austin and San Antonio.
These funds will come to TxDOT to pay for feasibility and ridership studies, as well as environmental studies. The study development of the entire corridor will cost $14 million, and the $5.6 million award is a significant contribution toward the total cost.
These studies will help TxDOT review passenger rail options, including improving existing Amtrak service, creating new service on existing rail lines or constructing new rail lines to operate at high speed. Completing these studies will take two to three years.
Read more »
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2011 Transportation Forum Registration Open!
Registration is now open for the 2011 Texas Transportation Forum. The theme of the Forum is "Yeah, I Can Do Modern." It will be exciting, informative and will feature presentations on timely transportation topics from leading experts. Reserve your hotel room and register now for your seat at the table before early registration discount expires on Nov. 17th.
Register now »
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NEW I-30 READY FOR RANGERS/COWBOYS EVENTS
The official ribbon cutting for the new I-30 corridor, also known as Tom Landry Highway, is slated for Thursday, Nov. 4. However, the $165 million in corridor improvements were unveiled this past weekend, as fans traveled to Arlington for Games 3 and 4 of the World Series at Rangers Ballpark as well as the Dallas Cowboys-Jacksonville Jaguars game at Cowboys Stadium.
TxDOT coordinated with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys organizations to open the new reversible I-30 HOV managed lane early for event traffic.
In this week's Statewide Podcast, we talk with Jodi Hodges, TxDOT's public information officer for the Fort Worth District, about the transportation challenges facing the area for Games 3 and 4 of the World Series in Arlington. Episodes are also available on iTunes.
Listen to Podcast »
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TN ONLINE
Read the latest issue of TN, TxDOT's bimonthly newsletter for employees »
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