On August 26, the Proposition 1 Stakeholder Committee was presented a Proposition 1 funding distribution draft concept. This November, Texans will vote on Proposition 1, an amendment to the Texas Constitution that would transfer money, an estimated amount of $1.7 billion, from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to the State Highway Fund. TxDOT has stated there is a $5 billion additional annual need for funding transportation – $3 billion for congestion and connectivity, $1 billion for maintenance, and $1 billion for energy impacts. If Proposition 1 should be approved by voters the draft conceprt would distribute funds in proportion to the additional annual needs.
According to the draft concept (using an estimated $1.7 billion total) the allocations would then be:
- Congestion (urban)/connectivity (rural) would be allocated 60% or approx. $1.02 billion.
- Congestion funding may be distributed using the category 2 formula with projects selected and ranked by MPOs in consultation with local TxDOT districts.
- Connectivity funding would be distributed based on category 11 discretionary formula with projects ranked and selected by the Commission.
- Maintenance needs would be allocated 20% or approximately $340 million using the category 1 formula with projects to be ranked and selected by TxDOT maintenance division and districts.
- Energy impact needs would be allocated 20% or approximately $340 million using the formula established in legislation which would mean every county is eligible to apply with projects ranked and selected by TxDOT districts in consultation with TxDOT Maintenance and Bridge Divisions.