TxDOT to Burnet County: Prepare for fed highway funds
The Texas Department of Transportation is even asking officials from Burnet and Llano counties to put together a wish list, although a price tag on the federal package hasn’t been announced.
“This may be a rare and possibly unique opportunity,” said Robert Daigh, the Texas Department of Transportation Austin district engineer. “We are preparing for the possibility, so that if it does happen, we can take advantage of it.”
Daigh spoke to nearly two dozen officials during the Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization regular meeting.
Burnet County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Hibler attended the meeting, which was chaired by Llano County Judge Wayne Brascom.
“Congress is now considering an economic stimulus package to help stabilize the current volatile economic downturn our nation is facing. One key element of this package that is being considered is a large investment in transportation infrastructure,” according to a TxDOT statement distributed by Daigh during the meeting.
If approved by Congress and the president, the stimulus package could be implemented by February, Daigh said.
“This is good news,” Brascom said. “It has been real discouraging the past couple of years.”
No amount has been estimated for the package yet, Daigh said.
“That is for better minds than mine to know,” he added.
Much of the funding will depend on how fast TxDOT area engineers and other officials can acquire right of way and environmental clearance for their transportation projects, he added.
TxDOT wants a list of potential transportation projects that could be funded by the federal package no later than Dec. 5, Daigh indicated.
“We are moving at a lightning pace for something that might occur, “ Daigh said. “We have been scrambling to come up with a list of (transportation) projects that are ready to go. Give us a list of what you want, and we will try to get the funding.”
Earlier this year, plans for a new bridge over Lake Marble Falls at U.S. 281 were put on hold pending the availability of more state funds, officials said.
It is too soon to predict if the potential release of new federal monies will affect the schedule for the new bridge, Daigh told The Daily Tribune.
The Legislature is expected to debate a $5 billion bond sale during the upcoming session, and perhaps proceeds from the sale will be committed to state transportation projects, Daigh said.
Plans for the new bridge “are already on the books,” Hibler said.
Hibler speculated the Burnet County Commissioners Court could apply to TxDOT for federal funds to build more turn lanes between Marble Falls and Burnet.
“I’ll have to bring it to (the Commissioners Court),” Hibler said.
If the federal stimulus package is approved, it is possible Galveston and other communities along the Texas Gulf Coast hard-hit earlier this year by Hurricane Ike will receive a significant share of the package, Daigh said.
The conference was held in the Capital Area Council of Governments headquarters, 6800 Burleson Road.
raymond@thepicayune.com