Texas Transportation Commission Adopts 2030 Committee Report

Last week, the Texas Transportation Commission adopted a report by the 2030 Committee that assesses the current state of transportation funding in Texas and considers three improved transportation quality scenarios, including the funding needed for each option and the subsequent conditions expected for the transportation system. Updated from the Committee's first report released in 2009, the 2011 report is titled It’s About Time: Investing in Transportation to Keep Texas Economically Competitive and highlights the importance of investing in transportation in order to maintain Texas’ status as an economically competitive state.

According to Dr. C. Michael Walton, chair of the 2030 Committee, a majority of current Texas roadways are reaching the end of their design life. He also stated that combined with the lack of transportation funding and exponential population and job growth in Texas creates “a perfect storm for our transportation system.”  Based on the Committee’s report, Texas’ transportation system is “unacceptable” and will eventually fail if funds are not strategically allocated to benefit transportation initiatives.


To build potential revenue to support roadway projects, the report features four categories of potential roadway revenue sources: capture existing revenue, utilize systemwide sources, consider targeted options, and explore local-level approaches
.
Transportation investment decisions not only directly impact the efficiency of transporting goods, but also affect the traffic congestion issues throughout the state.


Waiting for problems to escalate before making repairs to roads in Texas will cause significant cost burdens to taxpayers. Ultimately, Texas will save billions of dollars and maintain its strong transportation system by focusing on long-term innovative funding solutions that will help relieve traffic congestion and benefit our state’s deteriorating roads.


Click
here to read the executive summary of the report, and here 
to read the full report.

 
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