Texas transportation officials move forward with bundle of stimulus projects
Republican Gov. Rick Perry has criticized the federal economic stimulus bill, but he and his transportation allies have long said the state needs more money for roads to ease traffic congestion. (Associated Press)
The Associated Press
2/26/2009
AUSTIN, Texas — State transportation officials moved forward Thursday with a bundle of road and bridge maintenance projects to be paid for by $505 million in federal economic stimulus money headed to Texas.
The Texas Transportation Commission is expected to approve $1.2 billion in bigger highway projects using the federal cash next week.
Texas is set to get $2.25 billion in transportation money from the stimulus plan that was signed into law last week by President Barack Obama and is formally called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Republican Gov. Rick Perry has criticized the federal economic stimulus bill, but he and his transportation allies have long said the state needs more money for roads to ease traffic congestion. The five-person transportation commission, all his appointees, easily voted to approve the stimulus money maintenance work Thursday.
The projects approved Thursday were largely repair and maintenance projects.
Two lawmakers from Laredo told the commission they were disappointed that a high-profile and much-needed road project in their area isn't on the list of larger highway projects under consideration next week. That road would parallel U.S. Highway 83, which is heavily congested, and take some of its traffic outside Laredo, officials said.
"This is vital. This is a very, very important project to Laredo and Webb County," said Rep. Ryan Guillen, a Laredo Democrat who serves on the Texas House Transportation Committee. Rep. Richard Raymond, D-Laredo, and Laredo City Manager Carlos Villarreal also urged that the road project be included.
On Wednesday, the Texas Department of Transportation staff issued a list of projects that meet federal criteria and could be ready to go soon and thus be paid for with economic stimulus money.
The 266 road and bridge maintenance projects approved Thursday, valued at $505 million, are spread throughout the state. Funding for projects was determined by population, lane miles, vehicle traffic and pavement conditions, according to the transportation department.
"The projects approved today will serve to preserve the state's investment in our current transportation system," commission chair Deirdre Delisi said in a prepared statement.
The commission also approved Texas Department of Transportation support for 10 aviation projects valued at $49.7 million. Those stimulus-funded projects will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration for a final decision.
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