The Texas Transportation Commission has approved a new Unified Transportation Program. It sets out the state's road and transportation priorities for the next ten years. It does not specifically set aside funding for each project, but does include estimates for what projects will cost and the funding that's likely to be available.
"This 10-year plan to address transportation needs statewide and dedicate $85 billion to improve roadways will be a huge boon to our state's infrastructure and booming economy," said Governor Greg Abbott.
In the Dallas District for the Texas Department of Transportation, the plan includes improvements to Highway 80 in east Mesquite, I-30 improvements in Garland, and work on I-35 in Denton.
The plan also includes several projects in smaller towns across Texas.
"When Governor Abbott came into office, the funding was at $2.2 billion for the rural areas. today we are considering $14 billion - that's an almost seven-fold increase - in the funding for rural Texas," said Texas Transportation Commission Chair Bruce Bugg. It's very, very important that people understand that this Commission has done an outstanding job increasing the funding for rural Texas. We're taking care of rural Texas and we're never going to forget our roots."
Commissioners heard from several people in Houston and Austin who wanted projects in their cities removed from the plan.
"I think the infrastructure that's being discussed right now about the community, especially the people of color and the people that are low income as well as affordable housing, have been affected," said Austin resident Bertha Delgado. "I want you all to really, really hear the constituents and the citizens of Austin of how we're going to be affected if you put i-35 underground and put a tunnel next to my neighborhood."
A proposal to re-do I-45 in Houston has also been the focus of organized opposition, and many neighborhood activists visited Austin for the Texas Transportation Commission meeting.
"I'm here to kindly request you remove the I-45 project from the UTP until it can be re-designed with proper community input," said Nick Panzarella. "The I-45 expansion is projected to demolish hundreds of homes and businesses in the middle of an affordability crisis. I would like to live in a Houston where my children can not only drive to destinations but walk safely and bike as well. This project will not achieve that."
Commissioners left both the Austin I-35 project and the Houston I-45 project in the Unified Transportation Program, which was approved unanimously.
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