Committee to Examine State’s Transportation Needs

The Texas Transportation Commission new committee to hear public concerns regarding future transportation needs; TxDOT studies show ways to re-route freight trains, create commuter rail service.

2030 Committee Examines State’s Transportation Needs

Designed to create a comprehensive update of Texas transportation needs through the year 2030, a 12-member committee made up of experts in business and transportation was appointed to lead public hearings across the state.

The committee will issue a report in December on the state’s transportation needs. Although the committee will not attempt to calculate available funding or identify funding solutions, it will work to quantify and describe the need for infrastructure investment over the next 20 years and beyond.

Deirdre Delisi, chairwoman of the Texas Transportation Commission, formed the committee. It will work with the Center for Transportation Research at the University of Texas at Austin and the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University.

Among the members are committee vice chairman David Marcus of Marcus, Fairall, Bristol + Co. LLP in El Paso; Ken Allen of H-E-B in San Antonio; David M. Laney of the Law Office of David M. Laney PC in Dallas; Ruben Bonilla with the Port of Corpus Christi Commission in Corpus Christi; Jon Cannon of FedEx Kinko’s Group in Dallas; Drayton McLane, Jr. of the McLane Group in Temple; Drew Crutcher of Landgraf, Crutcher & Associates Inc. of Odessa; Roger Nober of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. of Fort Worth; Judge Ed Emmett of the Harris County Commissioners Court in Houston; Gary Thomas of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Dallas; Tom Johnson of the Associated General Contractors of Texas in Austin; and C. Michael Walton of The University of Texas at Austin.

Freight Lines Could Double for Austin-San Antonio Commuter Rail

An analysis prepared by TxDOT proposes a plan to reroute Union Pacific non-local freight trains in the Austin/San Antonio corridor.

Two studies identify potential rail and roadway improvements including new grade overpasses in conjunction with crossing closures, improvements to rail infrastructure in San Antonio as well as proposed bypass routes outside the metro area for UP non-local freight. The improvements total up to $3.8 billion.

Any of the proposed new routes between Austin and San Antonio would allow for the implementation of commuter rail service in the IH-35 corridor between San Antonio and Round Rock on existing rail lines.

The two studies, the “Central Texas Rail Relocation Study” and the “San Antonio Region Freight Study” provide an analysis of the existing rail network in the Central Texas region. The studies used that analysis to identify improvements to the existing system as well as alternative bypass routes that would reroute most UP freight trains between Austin and San Antonio that do not serve local customers.

The reports quantify public and private benefits for the improvements. The reports will be provided to the Austin-San Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District and other local and regional stakeholders and planning entities to assist them in developing plans for improving freight services and implementing commuter rail services in the corridor. The studies were developed with data and input from UP, and support further study of the bypass routes.

While the re-routing of trains is further studied, TxDOT has partnered with Amtrak to study the feasibility of providing additional intercity passenger rail service between Round Rock and San Antonio along the existing tracks in the same manner Amtrak travels now.

PBS&J Earns National Awards From Federal Highway Administration

PBS&J’s Austin office received two honors at the 2008 Federal Highway Administration’s Excellence in Right-of-Way Awards for the company’s contribution to Austin’s Central Texas Turnpike Project. PBS&J earned the Leadership Award and received an honorable mention in the Streamlining and Integration category.

The Leadership Award recognizes PBS&J and project partners the Texas Department of Transportation, Turnpike Right-of-Way Authority Division, and HDR Engineering of Omaha, Neb., for successful management of the CTTP.

Part of the project management strategy is to conduct environmental work, property acquisition, design and construction activities in one location--the CTTP Office--and prevent logistic complications.

The Streamlining and Integration Honorable Mention Award was also given to PBS&J and the company’s CTTP project partners for the creation of the CTTP Office to integrate the project’s diverse collaborators into a unified team. The integration incorporated the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the FHWA to help streamline the project and minimize potential problems. Keeping production on track prevented delays in delivery and construction that could have resulted in losses up to $50,000 per day.

West Regional Support Center Located in Lubbock

TxDOT is reorganizing its support services for design, construction and maintenance operations in 25 districts across the state creating four Regional Support Centers, including a West Regional Center in Lubbock that will support the Odessa District Office.

The Lubbock center will support seven West Texas districts, in part using modern virtual office technology that will allow some employees to continue to work from current office locations.

The other regional centers are in Fort Worth for the North Region, Houston for the East Region and San Antonio for the South Region. The West Region will support TxDOT district offices in Abilene, Amarillo, Childress, El Paso, Lubbock, Odessa and San Angelo.

The reorganization began in September and should take about a year to complete. In a second phase in 2010, divisions and offices in Austin will be structured in a way that is responsive to the Sunset Review and the actions of the upcoming 81st Legislature.

Laredo’s $19-Mil U.S. 277 Overpass Project Continues

The $18.9 million U.S. 277 overpass project in Laredo moved closer to its fall 2009 completion date as Barrera Street was closed for almost a month in late summer to facilitate continuing construction on the project.

The overpass project is located in Eagle Pass/Maverick County and is being built by Rosiek Construction Co. Inc. of Arlington. The project calls for the construction of an overpass over U.S. 277 and bridge approaches.

$10-Mil Road Expansion Project Under Way in Hurst

Work began last summer on the reconstruction and expansion of the FM 3029/Precinct Line Road from SH 121 in Hurst. The $9.8 million, 1-mi project will also include the installation of raised curb medians and new signals.

The road will be expanded from its current configuration of two lanes in each direction with a continuous turning lane to three lanes in each direction with dedicated turning lanes at intersections and median openings.

TxDOT awarded the project to Sunmount Corp. of Roanoke. The project is estimated from completion by spring 2010.

Fort Worth Bridge Reconstruction Project Starts

Work started in August on the reconstruction of the Vickery Street bridge over U.S. 287 in Fort Worth that will close the bridge for approximately 10 months. The $2.89 million project will include the rebuilding of the bridge and the addition of sidewalks.

Removal of the bridge required U.S. 287 to be closed on both north and southbound roads during the removal.

TxDOT awarded the project to SCR Construction Co. Inc. of Richmond. The project is estimated for completion by summer 2009.