Honkin' Mad

How should we pay for roads, rails going forward? #fundingtransport

How should we pay for roads, rails and other components of the United States' infrastructure going forward? I'll be attending the International Transport Forum May 22-24 in Leipzig, Germany, and the focus of the get-together is how the developed and developing nations of the world should pay for the improvements they need to ensure their people can get around (preferably without harming each country's natural resources).

In the U.S., motor fuels taxes clearly aren't sufficient to keep up with population and job growth (not at the current tax rates, at least). So there are other options, including raising taxes, building more toll roads, private development of roads, etc.

Or there's the do-nothing option - just let the infrastructure decay, and let our grandchildren deal with it.

Before I head over to Germany to cover this event, along with journalists from China, New Zealand and a couple dozen other places, I'd like to cobble together your thoughts on the broad topic. To join the conversation, post a comment to this blog or send an emal to gdickson@star-telegram.com.
Thanks!
@gdickson

Obama taps Charlotte mayor as new transportation secretary

President Obama will nominate Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to be the next transportation secretary. He would replace Ray LaHood, who is stepping down.

New bridge opens up part of Edwards Ranch that was previously off limits

As the Star-Telegram's Sandra Baker reports, a new Clearfork Main Street bridge spanning the Trinity River between Hulen Street and Bryant Irvin Road opens today. It provides a well-needed east-west connection,but also opens up a previously private part of the city for development.

Texans driving way too fast in work zones, officials say

@gdickson

One particularly heart-tugging image seen in some highway work zones is an orange sign bearing the message: "Please slow down. My dad works here."

But while that sign appeals for the safety of highway workers, in reality four of every five people killed in a work zone is a motorist.

"We want the public to crank up their awareness," said Lonny Haschel, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman.

Haschel joined officials from the North Texas Tollway Authority and Texas Department of Transportation on Tuesday at a work zone site along Interstate 20. Speaking on a newly built bridge over the interstate, the group called for motorists to bear greater responsibility for their actions on the road.

"There is over $11 billion in construction in the North Texas area, with more on the way," said Brian Barth, Fort Worth deputy district engineer for the state transportation department. "Your daily commute to work and school is changing on a daily basis and we need every driver to stay alert."

Work zone fatalities have fallen 39 percent during the past decade, said Elizabeth Mow, tollway authority assistant executive director of infrastructure.

Still, last year 134 people were killed statewide in work zone crashes.

"We need the public's help to complete the picture," Mow said.

Speeding and driver inattention are the leading causes of work zone fatalities, Haschel said.

Distractions such as talking or texting on a mobile device are also a major problem, Barth said.

National Work Zone Safety Awareness week is this week. The groups chose Tuesday's site for their press conference because it is part of the Chisholm Trail Parkway project, a 28-mile toll road from downtown Fort Worth to Cleburne that is scheduled to open next year.

The Chisholm Trail Parkway project has created work zones across a swath of southwestern Tarrant County, crossing Interstate 30, I-20, Hulen Street and Texas 183 (Southwest Boulevard).

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Meadows roasted in final Texas Transportation Commission meeting

Fort Worth's Bill Meadows has been replaced on the Texas Transportation Commission, but his legacy of bringin' home the bacon to North Texas - and doin' it with a wide grin - lives on.

Two extra lanes opening on Hulen Street in Fort Worth

Good news for motorists in southwest Fort Worth: Two additional lanes opened Wednesday on Hulen Street, as officials continued to make progress on the Chisholm Trail Parkway project.

There are now three northbound lanes and two southbound lanes crossing the Hulen Street bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad's Davidson Yard, said Michael Rey, spokesman for the North Texas Tollway Authority.

The entire, six-lane bridge is scheduled to open during the summer - and a new walkway will be available for pedestrians or cyclists.

The additional lanes should provide lots of extra breathing room for motorists, who have dealt with long lines and narrow lanes on the Hulen Street bridge for two years.

"There is still some fencing, and the demolition of the older bridge, but it's a lot better than it has been," Rey said, "They're still doing some final column demolition."

Also re-opening are a ramp from southbound Hulen Street to westbound Vickery Boulevard, and the eastbound right lane of Vickery Boulevard.

Chisholm Trail Parkway is a planned 28-mile toll road from Interstate 30 near downtown Fort Worth to U.s. 67 in Cleburne. It is scheduled to open in 2014. The North Texas Tollway Authority is the lead agency on the project, and the Texas Department of Transportation is a partner.

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Arlington's Vandergriff appointed to Texas Transportation Commission

@gdickson

Tarrant County will continue to wield its influence in statewide transportation issues.

Arlington businessman Victor Vandergriff has been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Transportation Commission, the five-member body that oversees the Texas Department of Transportation. Vandergriff will serve a six-year term expiring in 2019.

Vandergriff replaces Bill Meadows, a former Fort Worth councilman who has served on the state commission since 2008. Meadows' term expired in February, although as is common practice Meadows has remained on the board until a replacement could be found.

Vandergriff's appointment is subject to state Senate confirmation, so the actual switch may not occur until April.

Perry also announced on Tuesday that he would reappoint another state transportation commission member, Jeff Austin III of Tyler.

Vandergriff recently stepped down from a long tenure on the North Texas Tollway Authority board, amid rumors that he would run for Arlington mayor - a position he eventually opted not to pursue. Vandergriff also currently serves as chair of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, but Vandergriff said he would resign that position if confirmed for the transportation commission. State law won't allow him to serve on two state agency boards.

At the tollway authority, Vandergriff was instrumental in many key projects, including the planned extension of Texas 360 from Arlington to Mansfield.

"I haven't served on the transportation commission so I don't pretend to know the ins and outs, but I am certainly familiar with the process and working with the commission for so many years," Vandergriff said in a phone interview. "In five and a half years with NTTA we did a lot of projects together. I don't believe  I have that steep of a learning curve as a lot of people."

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Two new bridges will make Riverside an alternate to I-35W

Fort Worth is pressing ahead with construction of two new North Riverside Drive bridges over Loop 820 and Big Fossil Creek, despite lingering objections from area residents.

I-35W work to begin this year in Fort Worth

@gdickson

The reconstruction of Interstate 35W from Interstate 30 near downtown Fort Worth to north of U.S. 81/287 in the far north part of the city will begin this year, after the Texas Transportation Commission last week approved its portion of the project.

Texas roads awash in red ink

@gdickson

Texas legislators are ready to snip the Texas Department of Transportation's credit cards. They say the agency has borrowed too much money - nearly $18 billion - because the state lacks the cash to build the projects needed to keep up with growth.

Photo: ehow.com