On Tuesday, December 1, TSRT hosted another roundtable meeting of business leaders and TxDOT officials including Executive Director Amadeo Saenz and Texas Transportation Commissioner Ted Houghton. Tuesday’s roundtable included more than 50 of the El Paso area’s top business leaders. The gathering is one of many that TSRT is organizing across the state to educate business leaders on the pressing transportation infrastructure challenges we face and alternatives for meeting these challenges.  El Pasoans and TxDOT had an active dialogue on transportation issues in the El Paso area and statewide.  House Transportation Committee Chairman Joe Pickett (D-El Paso) also attended and gave great insight into lawmaker’s views on the transportation challenge.

Transportation Commissioner Ted Houghton, a native of El Paso, is the first resident of the area to serve on the Commission.  He complimented those involved in transportation issues for their ability to work together with the MPO, RMA and TxDOT.  As a result of the cooperation within the community, El Paso has seen many important project plans that have begun and that will come to completion years sooner than otherwise possible. Commissioner Houghton envisions El Paso as a major regional center for transportation and encouraged the group to continue with the collaboration that has been so successful.

Amadeo Saenz addressed the need for a functional, well-connected and maintained transportation system, so that Texas can maintain its economic strength and remain a significant competitor in the global market.  Saenz remarked that the economic stimulus was a helpful “shot in the arm” that focused on creating jobs, but it did not - and was not intended to - tackle the long-term funding issues facing Texas.  TxDOT believes heavily in the benefit of long-range planning, but in reality the strategy is significantly hindered by federal funding through short-term extensions rather than a long-term funding commitment by Congress. Saenz further commented on the decreasing gas tax revenue, the need for the state to identify and prioritize Capital Projects, and to identify funding for those specific improvements.

Several questions and comments followed our speakers relating to the growing funding needs, toll roads, and a few area specific projects.

The Texas Motor Transportation Association (TMTA) underwrote the event and provided lunch for the 50 guests. The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce graciously hosted the roundtable at their offices.