Trans-Texas Corridor Still Driving, Maybe For Free

Texas Transportation Commission selects proposal, but limits progress on projects without approval – beforehand – by the commission.

IH-69/Trans-Texas Corridor Master Plan Selected for Texas Segment

The Texas Transportation Commission approved a proposal by San Antonio-based Zachry American Infrastructure and Spanish-based ACS Infrastructure to develop the Texas portion of IH-69. The proposed ZAI/ACS master plan would develop the southern section of U.S. 77 to interstate standards without tolling that portion of the road. The proposal advances planning for IH-69/Trans-Texas Corridor, but additional commission action would be necessary before any construction could begin.

TxDOT selected the ZAI/ACS proposal over a proposal from Spanish-based Bluebonnet Infrastructure Investors, formerly known as Cintra. Both teams submitted proposals to TxDOT, which will continue its plans for upgrading U.S. 281. That, along with U.S. 77, has been designated by the federal government as a possible future route for IH-69.

IH-69/TTC plans are to use existing highway facilities wherever possible. The contract will provide for ZAI/ACS to perform activities including the creation of a master development plan and master financial plan for the IH-69/TTC project. The contract will also include the right of first negotiation for ZAI/ACS to perform work on certain projects.

If TxDOT moves forward with the actual design, construction, financing, maintenance and operation of any specific projects identified in the master development plan, those projects will be governed by separate facility agreements that would require additional action by the Transportation Commission.

TxDOT Completes Advanced Transportation District in San Antonio

TxDOT completed a $2.1 million illumination project on IH-410 south from U.S. 281 to Medina Base Road in San Antonio.

The project, one of several projects under the Advanced Transportation District local sales tax, was voted for in 2004. It provided funding of one-quarter of 1% of a tax to be used for advanced transportation. Half of the tax is dedicated to VIA Metropolitan Transit and the remaining tax is split between TxDOT and the city of San Antonio.

Other projects that TxDOT worked on under the Advanced Transportation District to leverage federal funds include the $29 million IH-35 from U.S. 90 to Zarzamora for bridge and approach rehabilitation, which began in October 2006 and should be complete next month; the $111.7 million IH-410 from Nacogdoches to Austin Highway upgrade of the freeway and traffic management system, which began in December 2006 with an anticipated October 2010 completion; the $18 million IH-10 E from Loop 410 S to Foster Road ramp and intersection reconfiguration, which began in February 2007 and should complete this month; the $53.8 million Spur 421 from IH-10 to Evers Road to widen to six lanes with continuous left turn lanes and sidewalks project, which began in June 2007 and is slated for a November 2010 completion.

Other projects using Advanced Transportation District funds being managed by Bexar County under a partnership with TxDOT include the $28.9 million Blanco Road from Glade Crossing to West Oak Estates roadway widening project, which began this year and should be finished next year; and the $19.4 million Culebra Road from Loop 410 to Grissom Road widening project, which began this year and should be complete in 2010.

The Advanced Transportation District sales tax has accelerated the projects by three years, according to TxDOT.

State Awards $36.4 Million for Public Transportation

The Texas Transportation Commission approved awards totaling $36.4 million to support public transportation in small urban and rural areas of the state.

This funding will sustain transit costs for capital and operating expenses for small urban and non-urbanized public transportation systems; assistance with higher than anticipated increases in fuel costs and other increases in rural expenses; enhancement of intercity bus service in Texas; and the continuation of regional coordinated public transportation planning.

Rural transit operators will receive $2.2 million of the funding specifically for addressing increased program expenses, due in part, to the rising price of fuel. Additionally, a portion of the total funds awarded will go to support intercity bus service.

One project funded will allow for continued operations of a route from Midland-Odessa to Presidio. The route is the only available public transportation serving Crane, McCamey, Fort Stockton, Alpine (which includes Sul Ross University) and Marfa counties.

Another project the funds will support is a marketing brochure designed to facilitate coordination between the ICB carrier and the non-urbanized counties served by Community Council of Southwest Texas and Concho Valley Transit District, a total of 20 Texas counties. During 2007, Texas' rural and small >> urban transit agencies provided nearly 22 million rides.

Lufkin Road Improvement Project Under Way

Construction recently started on a $32 million Lufkin project designed to address mobility and safety concerns along U.S. 59, south of Loop 287. Frontage roads will be added and reconstructed, an underpass will be widened and another underpass removed and replaced with a wider bridge.

San Antonio-based Zachry Construction Corp. is the contractor. Work is expected to take 38 months.

Sterling Awarded Montgomery County Highway Project

Houston-based Sterling Construction Co. Inc. was awarded a $21.2 million construction project for Montgomery County for the construction of a new 3.9-mi concrete road with related bridge, storm sewers and dirt work adjacent to the Montgomery County Airport in Conroe.

Construction will last about 16 months.

Austin’s 183A Toll Road Goes Cashless

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority voted to approve the elimination of cash toll collection on 183A by the end of 2008. The decision is expected to save the agency more than $1 million annually in operating costs.

To accommodate drivers who do not have a TxTag, Tolltag or EZ-Tag, the Mobility Authority implemented a “Pay-By-Mail” program. Customers choosing to use the “Pay-By-Mail” program can expect their vehicle's license plate to be photographed. The Mobility Authority will then send a Toll Bill to the registered owner of the vehicle.

183A will be the fourth toll road in Texas to go cashless. The Westpark Tollway in Houston was the first cashless toll road in the nation.

The Mobility Authority plans to implement cashless toll collection on all its future toll roads including the Manor Expressway, which will be constructed along U.S. 290 east of Austin. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2009.

The transition to cashless toll collection on 183A is expected as early as November dependent upon the installation of new signs.

Lubbock Spur 327 Project Starts First Phase

TxDOT recently opened the turnaround west of Frankford on Spur 327 project, closing Homestead Ave. to through traffic in Lubbock.

The work is the first phase of the Spur project. The contractor is Irving-based Austin Bridge & Road. The project cost is $23.5 million, and the completion date for phase one is end of the year or early 2009.