Planners seeking more transportation money for Burnet, other nearby counties
The Texas Department of Transportation and the Capital Area Transportation Planning Organization are hoping that if such legislation ever gets passed, it will help secure more funds for rural transportation planning.
Toward that end, CARTPO recently adopted a resolution to present to state officials during the upcoming legislative session, which convenes in January.
The resolution basically says “There should be something in state law that says RPOs should exist in Texas,” said Betty Voight, executive director of the Capital Area Council of Governments.
CARTPO is a part of CAPCOG, a regional advocate, planner, coordinator and service provider for Burnet, Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson counties.
By federal mandate, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties are already grouped together as a metropolitan area for transportation planning and funding purposes, Voight said.
Legislative approval and funding of an RPO for Burnet, Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Fayette, Lee and Llano counties could give CARTPO an opportunity to expand the scope of their work for the area, Voight said.
“We would have more resources for transportation planning,” Voight added.
CARTPO cannot directly lobby the Legislature for the creation of RPOs, Voight said.
TxDOT officials have already recommended the creation of RPOs through the agency’s report to the Texas Sunset Commission, Voight added.
raymond@thepicayune.com