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A Message From TX DOT

On average, Texas drivers in five of the state’s largest
metropolitan areas each are losing about 52 hours and $1,200* annually due
to traffic congestion. Upon approval by the Texas Transportation
Commission, the Texas Department of Transportation plans to improve drive
times and reduce costs to Texas drivers through a $1.3 billion effort
focused on delivering projects at an accelerated pace that addresses
gridlock in some of the state’s most congested areas.

“The major metro areas of Texas – Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston
and San Antonio – represent more than two-thirds of the state’s
population and 97 percent of the state’s most congested roads,” said
Texas Transportation Commissioner J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., who was appointed by
the commission to lead this statewide effort. “These areas see some of
the worst congestion in the nation. We’ve just completed a listening tour
in these major areas and have gathered valuable local input from
transportation leaders regarding their priorities and where we can quickly
address some needs. This is the initial phase of a new statewide plan to
address congestion.”

If adopted by the commission, these metro area projects[3] will begin
construction to enhance existing efforts and address gridlock on the state
highway system. The projects, which add up to more than 42 miles, include
interchanges, flyovers and congestion relief efforts at some of the
state’s worst chokepoints. They will be funded using $1.3 billion made
available through ending the use of diversions of highway money by other
agencies.

“I recently directed TxDOT to work with transportation planners and local
communities across the state to reduce congestion, and today’s proposal
is a significant first step in doing just that,” said Gov. Greg Abbott.
“Texans are tired of sitting in traffic and have voted to make a historic
investment in our state’s transportation infrastructure. I want to thank
the Texas Transportation Commission for rapidly responding with a
thoughtful approach that identifies and addresses some of the state’s
most congested chokepoints.”

 “I am grateful to Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Joe Straus
and the Texas Legislature for making the diversion funds available for
highway projects,” said Commissioner Bugg. “TxDOT is focusing on using
this funding to provide Texas drivers relief in an expedited manner. By
making these improvements on an accelerated schedule, TxDOT will save $457
million versus building those roads in future years.”

“For years we’ve been committed to addressing congestion, and this year
we’re getting a jump start on that part of our core mission,” said
TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “As the severity of congestion in
the Lone Star State continues to grow, we are committed to delivering
projects many Texans need and deserve to reduce the amount of time they
spend in traffic.”

Today’s announcement is the result of a several month effort led
by Commissioner Bugg to gain valuable insights from transportation leaders
and elected officials in the state’s five major metropolitan areas. That
listening tour and collaborative efforts with Metropolitan Planning
Organizations and TxDOT districts shaped this initiative and projects being
unveiled today. The listening tour was just the beginning, and the
conversation will continue as TxDOT focuses on this important challenge for
Texas.

The Texas Transportation Commission also will consider another $800 million
in additional funding for connectivity and safety, maintenance, repairs to
the energy sector and border infrastructure funding. The commission is
expected to vote on all these projects when it considers the quarterly
Unified Transportation Plan at February’s commission meeting.

For more information, contact TxDOT Media Relations at
MediaRelations@txdot.gov or (512) 463-8700.

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