The Texas Department of Transportation has released a ten year plan to "invest in local roads and major congestion relief projects to meet the demands of Texas' growing population and a thriving economy." TxDOT says the plan would invest $146 billion in infrastructure.
"It’s no question why so many businesses and families want to move to Texas, and this monumental investment will help us take care of everyone here while attracting more to come in the future,” Acting Texas Transportation Chair Alvin New wrote in a statement.
The plan breaks funding into 12 categories including maintenance, safey and congestion mitigation.
In North Texas, the plan would include 55 projects including reconstruction of Interstate 30 through Downtown Dallas, widening Interstates 20 and 30 in Arlington and $130 for rehabilitation of State Highway 180 in East Fort Worth. A complete list of recommendations across the state is available here.
The Texas Transportation Commission also approved the Regional Transportation Council's plan to spend $3.5 million to keep Amtrak's Heartland Flyer running between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City for the next year. The Texas Department of Transportation's request for funding was not included in the next state budget.
"This interim funding will help secure the future of the Heartland Flyer, which serves as a vital link for both commuters and leisure travelers between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. We extend our thanks to Amtrak, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Transportation Commission and all partners involved in making this historic action happen. We look forward to working with them to build a strong future for passenger rail," NCTCOG Transportation Director Michael Morris said.
In a statement, Governor Greg Abbott said the investment in all projects would help Texas meet "critical needs of our growing state as more people and businesses move here for the freedom and opportunity they can’t find anywhere else."
"We must strengthen our roadways and improve congestion and safety to keep our economy booming and keep Texans moving. By investing billions of dollars in our transportation network today, we will build the future of Texas for generations to come," he wrote.