TxDOT racing to select stimulus projects
In February, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) allocated $2.25 billion in federal transportation funds to Texas. In many cases, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) will allow states up to one year to decide which projects to build.
But on March 5, 2009, the Texas Transportation Commission intends to forge ahead. The Commission will meet to approve $1.7 billion of new stimulus-funded projects. The project list is chock full of controversial projects, including the Grand Parkway in Houston, the US-281 toll road across the Edwards aquifer in San Antonio, roads to nowhere, and sprawl highways through environmentally-sensitive areas. Further, many Texans object to spending stimulus on toll roads.
If you have thoughts about how TxDOT should invest its stimulus allocation, be sure to submit comments to TxDOT by email asktxdot@dot.state.tx.us or fax to (512) 463-9896 before Thursday.
What: Texas Transportation Commission special meeting
When: Thursday, Mar 5, 2009 at 10:00 am
Where: Dewitt C. Greer Building, 125 East 11th St., Austin, TX 78701 (map)
For more details and streaming video of the meetings, consult TxDOT’s agendas.