After months of working with local agencies about proposed transportation projects in the most congested corridors in the state, TTI presented a detailed report to the Texas Transportation Commission Feb. 23.
The report, titled Mobility Investment Priorities — Early Recommendations Report, includes recommendations that will advance major projects that would improve mobility for the areas of the state with the most congestion — Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.
“We are working with TxDOT on an interagency agreement to coordinate studies, identifying projects that will have the greatest impact on congestion,” Tim Lomax, senior research engineer and TTI’s project leader, says. “And just as important, TTI’s work will examine how the state can pay for the improvements.”
The Mobility Investment Priorities Project was developed in coordination with agencies in each of the four metropolitan areas to identify studies, identify design efforts, or purchase rights-of-way that meet the goals of the Rider 42 legislation, which allocated $300 million in Proposition 12 bond proceeds. TTI will help implement the studies that examine congestion relief and the resulting economic benefits.
“This is a two-year project and is really a team effort,” Lomax points out. TTI is working closely with metropolitan planning organizations, regional mobility authorities, city and county governments, transit agencies, and others on the TxDOT interagency contract. “The goal of all this is to make sure the improvement plans reflect the needs of local entities and local commuters.”
After TTI’s first recommendation report is examined, Research Scientist Dave Ellis will begin the economic analysis process. “We have the TRENDS model and other tools to examine a menu of potential funding options for policy makers and to assess the potential economic impact of the projects,” he says.
TTI’s final report to the commission is expected in August 2013.