The House Committee on Transportation has released its interim report to the 89th Legislature. In addition to monitoring the implementation of legislation from prior sessions, the report covers port infrastructure, bridge safety, and road traffic. See below for a spotlight on recommendations from the report.
Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee implementation of relevant legislation, including HB 718, HB 1885, HB 2170, HB 3288, HB 4422, and SB 505.
- The Legislature should continue to monitor the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles so that it has all the tools necessary to combat temporary tag fraud as it evolves.
- The Legislature should continue to monitor the toll billing system to ensure that it is accurate, transparent, fair, and responsive to customer needs.
- The Legislature should invest in modernizing the communication between the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to improve border security and trade efficiencies.
- The Legislature should review the recommendations for safety improvements, infrastructure enhancements, technology upgrades, and funding needs from the HB 4422 Report TxDOT will finalize by December 1, 2024.
Port Infrastructure and Maritime Industry
- In order to support our continued historic population growth and economy, Texas should continue to invest in its port infrastructure to support the demand on the supply chain.
- The 2024-2025 Port Capital Investment Report includes 49 capital projects and two studies at 15 different ports whose total project cost is just under $1.67 billion. All ports are willing to provide a minimum cost share of 25% for each recommended project and study.
- The Ship Channel Improvement Report includes eight federally authorized projects that are eligible for the revolving fund, representing a $2.19 billion federal share and $1.47 billion local share, for a total estimated first construction cost of $3.66 billion. This report also reflects two projects in the feasibility study phase for future Congressional authorization and eight non-federal projects, which are ineligible for SCIRF funding.
- The Port Connectivity Report assesses the current state of landside connectivity at 18 maritime ports along the Texas seacoast, summarizing conditions for rail, pipeline, and road systems serving the ports. In combination, these issues lead to inefficiencies for multimodal freight movement. This report evaluates the existing conditions for landside access at the Texas seaports, identifies connectivity issues facing port transportation, and proposes 142 projects – with total construction costs estimated at up to $4.34 billion – as potential solutions to these issues.
Bridge Safety
- The Legislature should look at ways to accelerate funding for bridges in Poor Condition that pose potential safety risks.
- The Legislature should invest in tools like TTI’s AI tool for project planning to reduce errors and decrease costs for project delivery.
- The Legislature should utilize the study being completed by TxDOT on the Hwy 82 Bridge draft restriction for recommendations to improve the air draft restrictions.
Alleviating Road Traffic
- The Legislature should embrace technology, including autonomous vehicles and connected infrastructure, to manage congestion. The state should ensure sufficient regulation exists to keep the public safe and data private and secure.
- The Legislature should prioritize state funding for grade separation projects in high-impact urban areas, such as Houston’s East End and Fifth Ward. These projects will allow railroads to operate efficiently while minimizing impacts on surrounding communities affected by blocked crossings.
- The Legislature should identify ways to increase dedicated funding for transportation to prevent the cost of goods from rising due to the impacts of congestion on the supply chain. Failing to invest additional funding in transportation infrastructure could slow Texas’ economic growth.
