[0:02] Good morning.

[0:06] It is 10 a.m. And I call to order the April 30th, 2026 meeting of the Texas

[0:14] Transportation Commission in Austin, Texas. Note for the record that public notice of this

[0:19] meeting containing all items on the agenda was filed with the Secretary of State at 421

[0:25] p.m. on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026, which is at least seven days prior to the meeting

[0:31] in accordance with government code 551.044.

[0:37] At this time I would like to ask that before we begin today's meeting you place all cell

[0:41] phones and other communication devices in the silent or off mode to

[0:50] comment or

[0:57] register

[0:58] your opinion on an agenda item.

[1:01] Please complete a yellow card and identify the agenda item.

[1:05] bring that card up to our clerk Mrs. Brown here at the dais. When we get to that agenda

[1:11] item and after staff has presented the agenda item I will call your name to come to the

[1:16] podium. When you come up to the podium to speak please state your name and the organization

[1:21] you represent and then state your remarks. If your remarks do not concern an agenda

[1:27] item we will take your comments during the open comment period at the end of the

[1:33] meeting. For these comments, please complete a blue card. Again, bring that card up to

[1:39] our clerk, Mrs. Brown, here at the dais. When you come up to the podium to speak, please

[1:44] state your name, and if you're speaking on behalf of an organization, please name

[1:49] the organization. Please note that during open comment, the commission is prohibited

[1:53] by law from answering any questions or asking and engaging in any dialogue with you.

[2:00] Regardless of whether you speak on an agenda item or during the open comment period, you

[2:05] will have three minutes to provide your remarks.

[2:08] When 60 seconds remain, the yellow light on the podium timer will flash, meaning you

[2:13] should start wrapping up your comments.

[2:15] And when the red light flashes, your three minutes have expired.

[2:20] Before we begin, I am going to turn the meeting over to Executive Director Mark

[2:24] Williams.

[2:25] Thank you, Acting Chair Neu.

[2:27] At this time, I'd like to ask for everyone's full attention to be directed to the

[2:30] screens as we show the Greer Building Safety video describing emergency exits and other

[2:35] emergency procedures.

[2:44] The following is a safety briefing to help ensure your personal safety while at the Texas

[2:49] Department of Transportation Greer Building.

[2:52] In case of a medical emergency, please call 911.

[2:56] An automated external defibrillator unit is located here on level 1 in the main lobby

[3:01] at the security booth.

[3:03] First aid kits are marked and located on each floor.

[3:08] Fire extinguishers are marked and located on each floor.

[3:14] In the event of an evacuation, proceed to the nearest exit.

[3:20] Once outside, proceed to the west parking lot of the Greer Building,

[3:23] located at the corner of Congress Avenue and 11th Street.

[3:28] In case of a tornado or inclement weather, stay inside.

[3:32] Move away from exterior walls and windows.

[3:34] The designated shelters are stairwells, basement, interior hallways, and centrally located restrooms.

[3:44] In case of active shooter or bomb threat, follow instructions from the public address system and on-site security personnel for more details.

[3:54] Thank you for your time. Have a safe and productive meeting.

[3:59] Thank you, Chair Knew. That concludes our safety briefing.

[4:02] Thank you. Now we will open with comments from my fellow commissioners. I would like to start

[4:08] with comments from Commissioner Gordon,

[4:14] Commissioner Alvis. No comments, Chair. Commissioner Mead.

[4:18] No comments. Thank you.

[4:22] Commissioner Vaughn. I have a few comments. Outstanding. All right.

[4:28] Good morning. Looks like you have time. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning. On April 14,

[4:32] I participated in a ribbon-cutting event for the Trinity Forest Spine Trail 2 up in Dallas.

[4:40] This is one of the final pieces of the loop, which is a 50-mile hike and bike project in

[4:47] and around Dallas.

[4:49] And the significance of this is that it is not only tying communities back together,

[4:55] but it's providing safe avenues for pedestrian and cyclists.

[5:00] I just want to give special kudos to District Engineer

[5:05] Cason Clements and the Dallas District with this needed,

[5:09] safe and popular addition to our transportation projects.

[5:13] Thank you.

[5:14] Excellent, thank you.

[5:17] I have some opening comments today.

[5:20] I had a really fun month and want to share some of that

[5:23] with you.

[5:24] So I was in Lubbock, Texas for the ribbon cutting event on

[5:28] the 16th of April.

[5:29] and they opened up projects 3A and 3B at the bottom of this loop map. The

[5:38] project is a hundred and fifty four point eight million dollar project and it

[5:42] converts Farm to Market Road 1585 from a rural two-lane road to a loop 88 six-lane

[5:51] freeway and a segment was opened and we had a great gathering including state

[5:57] Representative Carl Tepper and County Judge Curtis Parrish and Mayor

[6:01] David or Mark McBrair and then you get to the important people on the ends that

[6:09] actually did the work let's so I enjoyed being around them I always do and so they

[6:16] were on that project and did excellent an excellent job and then when you look

[6:20] in the back and it's they're a little hard to see but this was named for

[6:24] first responders. So you see some of the policemen and sheriff's deputies and

[6:28] those folks in the back of this photo. This was designated by the legislature as

[6:35] first responders memorial loop. It was really a fun event to attend and to have

[6:41] an opening for. And then I went on to even more fun with our maintenance

[6:48] section visits. So statewide, some districts have reported no injuries for long periods

[6:57] of time. So these four represent the top one and a half percent of, I thought I was having

[7:04] a stroke for a minute there, but I think I'm okay. But these folks have gone from

[7:13] From 7,270 days up to 8,756 days without injuries in their maintenance section.

[7:24] So again, the top one-and-a-half percent in this safety measure.

[7:29] And so, for the last 19 years or more, members of four Text.Maintenance crews have continued

[7:36] to return home safely without injury.

[7:38] The stellar track record of maintenance office crews in the Abilene, Atlanta, Lufkin and

[7:44] San Antonio districts were recognized by the Texas Transportation Commission acting chair

[7:49] Alvin New who paid each of them a visit.

[7:52] Safety is job number one at TechStot, said acting chair New.

[7:56] Going more than 7,000 consecutive days without an injury is an extraordinary achievement

[8:02] and it doesn't happen by chance.

[8:04] New made the surprise visits to the maintenance office crews in Stonewall County,

[8:09] Linden, San Augustine County, and Uvalde, who all lay claim to that distinction,

[8:15] treating them to lunch, handing out commemorative ball caps, and talking shop.

[8:20] And I'll show you a few slides of this. It was really a lot of fun.

[8:25] They got their very own ball caps, so each of them has something none of the rest of us have.

[8:30] that's kind of fun. They were treated to a privately funded lunch and we had a really

[8:39] good time. So let's take a look and celebrate some of these guys and gals. Stonewall County

[8:46] is in Aspermont, Texas in the Abilene District and these guys are wearing their caps and

[8:51] this is us talking shop and on the left one of them showing me their pavement scores

[8:57] and what they're doing and on the right the visiting with Sammy Salazar our safety our direction our director

[9:06] Occupational Safety Division Director

[9:09] It was you know, it's fun just to sit there and listen know what you would note

[9:13] Is that when they're really good at safety? They're really good at some other things too

[9:18] So these guys had their scores

[9:21] scores are in the 90s. Our goal is 90. Their scores are in the 90s in this particular maintenance

[9:29] section on pavement scores. And so that's the kind of tie together. Next. This one is

[9:36] over in Uvalde or down in Uvalde. And these guys are also, they're number one in the

[9:46] in Antonio District for pavement scores, number one,

[9:50] but they also are one of the four with no injuries

[9:54] for 20 years, okay?

[9:57] Next, this is handing out the ball caps

[10:01] and the ball caps were a hit, look at the selfie, okay?

[10:04] So life is good.

[10:06] And then this one you can tell there was

[10:09] a public information officer involved in the photo

[10:12] because she made me be in the front.

[10:14] So, okay. I'm coachable. And these guys, this is in, oh Gilmont, Camp Gilmont, but in, let

[10:25] me take a peek here. I'm sorry you guys. This one is Linden. It's because it doesn't match

[10:31] their county. So this one is Linden's maintenance section. And we were at their safety banquet

[10:39] which is now a picnic in celebration.

[10:44] They have their comments and those things,

[10:45] but it's not a banquet in a hall or, you know,

[10:49] it's a fun time where they get together and share time

[10:53] and play and do activities.

[10:55] So anyway, that was a great event to get to attend.

[10:58] And then we were at the San Augustine County Maintenance

[11:00] section in the Lufkin District,

[11:02] and this is that group of folks,

[11:05] and they also are doing an excellent job.

[11:08] You see the district engineer and the maintenance supervisor talking after he had his cap about

[11:16] how they got there, and then the guys sitting around talking after lunch.

[11:21] And then I want to spend time recognizing everyone that made this happen.

[11:28] So Sammy Salazar is our Occupational Safety Division Director.

[11:32] He and his team did all of the statistics gathering, and Jessica Mueller, his business

[11:37] business operations manager was really important to the gathering of events.

[11:43] These were surprise visits.

[11:45] And so these guys were also good at being clandestine in the work that they did.

[11:50] And I want to recognize Jeremy Deering with the Abilene District Engineer, as the Abilene

[11:56] District Engineer, Charles Benavides, the San Antonio District Engineer, Katie Martin,

[12:01] the Atlanta District Engineer, and Kelly Morris, the Lufkin District Engineer because

[12:05] they knew what was going to happen and they kept it quiet even with their own

[12:10] staff to help make this happen and so that's that's not easy and I heard more

[12:15] than one of them say especially the need to share good news they really had had

[12:21] trouble keeping it wrapped up. Becky Ozuna and our in internal

[12:25] communications section director gave me the opportunity to read some

[12:32] information about this that I thought was better said than I would say on my own.

[12:36] So thank her for that.

[12:39] And I will also tell you that Emily Klisby with commission support made all the meals

[12:46] happen, made a lot of this happen again where we were able to show up with barbecue and

[12:53] surprise people and give them a ball cap and those kinds of things.

[12:57] So all good stuff.

[12:58] Thank y'all for making all this happen.

[13:05] And Director Williams, do you have remarks for us?

[13:09] A few updates, thank you Chair Neu for making it out and recognizing the great work of our

[13:15] divisions and as you pointed out, you know, it is a, there is a correlation between safety

[13:23] performance and overall performance and as you recognize, our highest safety performing

[13:30] districts and sections also perform very high in other things, and it just shows the alignment

[13:37] and the importance of leadership in that area.

[13:39] So thank you for recognizing the great work of our teams.

[13:43] I want to also acknowledge it's good to have a full dais again.

[13:49] We've got five commissioners here all together, and so welcome to the whole, we got the

[13:57] whole band back together.

[13:57] So that's great.

[14:00] A couple of updates.

[14:02] I want to recognize a transition in our procurement division.

[14:08] Next month, we're going to celebrate the retirement of Ken Wood,

[14:11] our director of procurement before he goes.

[14:15] We thought it would be good to bring on the next director

[14:17] so Ken could pass on his wealth of institutional knowledge

[14:21] that he's accumulated during his tenure in that role.

[14:24] And so earlier this month we brought on our new Director of Procurement, William Bill Walsh.

[14:30] Bill has more than 15 years of experience in large-scale public procurement and contracting

[14:35] operations with a deep expertise managing complex, highly regulated portfolios across

[14:41] multiple Texas state agencies.

[14:43] He most recently served as Director of the Contracts Division at the Department of

[14:47] Family and Protective Services where he led a workforce of over 220 procurement

[14:52] and contracting professionals and oversaw more than 3,000 active contracts.

[14:57] He holds a master's degree from the University of Baltimore.

[15:00] Fort Dakota. And a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas, Q. Brian. Thank you, thank

[15:05] you. He's a graduate of the governor's executive leadership program as well. So I think Bill

[15:10] is in the office. There he is. Bill, welcome. Please join me in welcoming Bill.

[15:20] I'd also

[15:21] like to recognize, you know, as you, you know, pointed out, there's a lot of just really

[15:28] often unknown great work that goes on around the department. And our finance team in

[15:35] particular is one that I wanted to pay some attention to today. They are always looking

[15:40] at ways to save money for tech stock in the state of Texas, and most importantly, taxpayer

[15:45] money. And a lot of what they do often goes on behind the scene. We don't really go out

[15:50] and do a ribbon cutting for a bond refinancing. But you all delegate, as you will next

[15:54] month, responsibility and authority for them to carry out those actions on behalf

[16:00] of the Texas Department of Transportation and the state of Texas. And they do

[16:04] a great job of that. And last week is a great example. Textot and collaboration with RBC

[16:09] Capital Markets and Stifle, Nicholas and Company refinanced $800 million in highway improvement

[16:15] general obligation bonds. This refinancing generated over $130 million in interest rate

[16:21] savings over time or $90 million in today's dollars for Textot in the state of Texas

[16:27] which frees up cash for projects that we can use. And so this successful refinancing

[16:33] combined with previous debt refinancing efforts over the last five years has resulted in over

[16:39] $500 million in savings in today's dollars lowering the department's debt service costs.

[16:46] So that is a significant savings to the state of Texas and the taxpayers.

[16:50] This result is the work and the due diligence and vigilance of our Text.team continuously

[16:57] Obviously monitoring cost savings opportunities in the market for our debt programs, reflecting

[17:03] strong stewardship and fiscal responsibility that the team puts forth in these areas.

[17:09] Again, saving the taxpayers' money and helping us to have the resources we need to advance

[17:14] more projects.

[17:15] And Ben Asher and his team are back here.

[17:19] Thank you all for the great work that you all do in that area.

[17:23] We'll have to figure out at some point in time a way to do a ribbon-cutting ceremony

[17:27] for a bond refinancing because that's very, very appropriate.

[17:33] And then in it, so $500 million is worth at least one clap.

[17:43] Absolutely.

[17:44] Thank you.

[17:45] And then finally, we also are happy to have with us here today another group of young

[17:51] engineering assistants, future leaders with the department.

[17:54] It's always good to welcome them to join us here and afford them an opportunity to kind

[17:58] of see firsthand what happens at our commission meeting.

[18:01] And today's group is visiting us from the Yocum District and joining our young engineers

[18:06] is our Chief District Engineer, Jeff Vinclerick.

[18:08] Jeff, thank you for being here and for your leadership.

[18:11] Along with Clayton Harris, the Director of TPND and Amanda Fleing, the Design Engineer

[18:15] Supervisor with the Yocum District.

[18:19] And we want to thank you all for taking time to come to Austin today and would like to

[18:26] see if you all would mind standing up so we can recognize you all as well.

[18:38] Thank you all for being here and Chair Neu, that concludes my updates.

[18:44] Thank you, sir.

[18:48] We will now consider the approval of the minutes from the March 25, 2026 regular meeting

[18:53] of the Texas Transportation Commission.

[18:56] Members, the draft minutes have been provided to you.

[18:58] May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the March 25,

[19:03] 2026 regular meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission?

[19:07] Commissioner Vaughn has made a motion.

[19:08] May I have a second?

[19:09] Commissioner Mead seconds.

[19:11] I'll call for the vote.

[19:12] All in favor, please say aye.

[19:13] Aye.

[19:14] Any opposed?

[19:15] Okay.

[19:16] The vote passes unanimously.

[19:18] And Director Williams, you want to move us on to...

[19:22] Thank you, Chair Neu.

[19:24] Item 4A is the consideration of the award

[19:26] of Highway Improvement and Transportation Facilities Contracts, Construction Division

[19:30] Director Dwayne Milligan is here and he will present the site.

[19:34] Good morning.

[19:36] The April 2026 Highway Improvement Contracts and Routine Maintenance Contracts are separated

[19:41] into two-minute orders with a combined letting total of $803.15 million.

[19:47] Projects with actual let dates for the month of March include local district let

[19:50] maintenance, totaling $31.14 million, and local agency let totaling $12.91 million.

[19:59] The total letting dollar volume including highway improvement, routine maintenance, local agency,

[20:04] and alternative delivery projects for fiscal year 2026 to date is $4.8 billion.

[20:10] The forecasted total of these projects for the fiscal year is $10.73 billion.

[20:15] Even with the dollar volume being lower than the target set at the beginning of the

[20:20] fiscal year we are projected to let more projects than originally planned due to

[20:25] the underruns we've experienced each month and the corresponding decreases in

[20:30] the Highway Cost Index. We've been able to accelerate 88 highway improvement

[20:34] projects originally planned for fiscal year 2027. This month I report the

[20:40] March 2026 Highway Cost Index with a value of 185.72. One year ago in

[20:46] March of 25, the HCI was 208.91, representing a 11.1% year-over-year decrease.

[20:55] Four years ago in March of 22, the HCI was 131.31, representing a 41.44% increase in

[21:03] the last four years.

[21:06] This item is for the consideration of the award of rejection of contracts for highway

[21:10] improvement projects led on April 7th and 8th, 2026.

[21:13] We present 64 projects with an overall average of 6.09 bids per project, low bid value was

[21:21] approximately 787.5 million, with an overall under-run of 9.91%.

[21:27] The April 2026 projects are categorized under the following performance areas, congestion

[21:33] reduction at 342.88 million, pavement preservation at 180.1 million, safety at 98.54 million,

[21:40] enhanced connectivity at ninety four point one eight million and bridge

[21:44] preservation at seventy one point eight one million pedestrian elements

[21:48] accounted for sixteen point three million and bicycle elements accounted for six

[21:52] point two million in this month's letting there are eight projects without

[21:56] standing right away utility and or railroad issues three should be cleared

[22:00] next month three will be cleared in two months and to have approved

[22:04] management plans staff recommends award of all sixty four highway

[22:08] improvement projects. I'd be happy to answer any questions the Commission may have at this time.

[22:13] Commissioners, are there any remarks or questions for Director Milligan?

[22:17] Okay. Seeing none, I don't see any cards. May I have a motion to award the contracts for highway

[22:25] improvement projects listed in exhibit A to the minute order in accordance with staff's recommendation?

[22:31] Okay, Commissioner Alvis.

[22:33] Second.

[22:34] Commissioner Mead makes the second.

[22:35] Call for the vote.

[22:36] All those in favor, please say aye.

[22:38] Aye.

[22:39] Any opposed?

[22:40] Vote passes unanimously.

[22:44] Moving on to item 4B.

[22:46] Director Milligan, please continue.

[22:47] This is the consideration of the routine maintenance contracts.

[22:51] This item is for the consideration

[22:53] of the order rejection of contracts for routine maintenance

[22:56] projects led on April 7th and 8th, 2026.

[23:00] We present nine projects with an overall average of four

[23:02] bids per project. A little bit of value is approximately 15.64 million with an

[23:07] overall underrun of 7.38 percent and staff recommends award of all nine

[23:12] routine maintenance projects and I'd be happy to answer any questions the

[23:15] Commission may have at this time.

[23:20] Commissioners are there any remarks or

[23:21] questions for Director Milligan? Okay seeing none may I have a motion to

[23:26] award the routine maintenance contracts as listed in exhibit A to the

[23:30] in accordance with staff's recommendation.

[23:34] Commissioner Mead.

[23:36] Commissioner Gordon, seconds.

[23:38] Call for the vote.

[23:39] All those in favor, please say aye.

[23:41] Aye.

[23:42] Any opposed?

[23:43] Motion passes unanimously.

[23:46] It's turned now to item 5A.

[23:48] And this is a discussion item on Texas Bridges and Pavements.

[23:53] You all are aware of some of the great work we do in this area.

[23:57] And we have here engineering and safety operations senior director Jessica Butler who's going

[24:03] to lead this discussion followed by some of her staff and really it's a great story

[24:08] about the fantastic work that this team has been doing.

[24:13] And so Jessica, we'll turn it over to you.

[24:15] Thank you.

[24:16] Good morning everyone.

[24:18] I really appreciate the opportunity to provide an update on Texas bridges and pavements

[24:22] and the chance to highlight, as Mark just noted, the great work that our department

[24:26] does to maintain these critical assets.

[24:29] First, I want to provide some background and context

[24:32] to help highlight the magnitude of the challenge

[24:34] to maintain a system of this size with ever-increasing demands.

[24:38] We all know that Texas is growing,

[24:40] both in traffic volume and in population,

[24:42] and you're going to hear a lot more about population.

[24:44] Shortly, all those new cars increased the demand

[24:47] on our transportation system.

[24:49] On average, vehicle miles traveled has been growing

[24:52] by about 4.5 percent per year,

[24:54] in population growth around 1.2% per year.

[24:57] As you can see on this slide,

[24:59] Texas has almost 57,000 bridges,

[25:03] which includes both on and off system.

[25:05] This is the largest bridge inventory

[25:07] of any state in the nation,

[25:09] and more than double the size

[25:10] of the next largest state's inventory.

[25:13] Our bridge inventory exceeds the combined total

[25:16] of the 18 states with the fewest bridges.

[25:18] So really I think we're in a league of our own

[25:20] when it comes to, again,

[25:22] the number of bridges that we maintain. All of these bridges in Texas are

[25:26] inspected on a two-year cycle unless they need more attention which

[25:29] translates to our bridge division overseeing approximately 28,500 routine

[25:34] inspections per year and again that's on and off system. Texas also performs

[25:40] inspections in the off years with our maintenance forces so an inspection of

[25:44] some sort is happening every year on our bridges and the inventory is

[25:48] growing. On average we build approximately 500 new bridges every year and replace about 225 bridges

[25:55] per year that's an average over the last five years. Regarding our pavements which is also shown

[26:01] on this slide, we currently have over 200,000 on-system lane miles and all those lane miles

[26:07] require maintenance at some point along with the roadside. To support our pavement performance

[26:13] each mile of the statewide pavement network is rated once per year.

[26:18] In addition to pavement condition, we also collect other data on our pavements.

[26:22] An example would be skid data, which could be best thought of as the grip between your tires and the road.

[26:28] Over the last 20 years, reported lane miles increased by an average of 555 lane miles per year.

[26:36] I do want to note that that average jumps up to about 700 miles of new lane miles per year

[26:41] if you just look at the data over the last five years.

[26:44] So not only do we have the largest infrastructure

[26:46] of assets in the nation to maintain,

[26:48] our inventory continues to grow

[26:50] as do the demands on our system.

[26:52] It really is a tremendous responsibility.

[26:55] Keeping all these assets in a state of good repair translates

[26:57] to safer roads and money saved.

[26:59] It's much more expensive to replace an asset

[27:02] than it is to maintain and repair that asset.

[27:05] So we as a department are very proud of these pavements

[27:08] and bridge programs.

[27:09] In the tech.employees who oversee them,

[27:11] which does include the work of all 25

[27:13] district statewide and division staff.

[27:15] I think this is a great example of how we deliver

[27:17] on tech stats goals of preservation, safety,

[27:20] and being good stewards of taxpayer resources.

[27:22] So with that, I'm going to turn the presentation

[27:24] over to first Jamie Ferris, who is our

[27:26] Bridge Division Director, and then she'll turn it

[27:29] over to James Stevenson, our Maintenance Division

[27:30] Director, to provide a little bit more

[27:32] information on these programs.

[27:33] All

[27:37] right, thank you, Jessica, and good morning.

[27:39] Thank you for your time today to discuss

[27:42] some highlights of our robust bridge program.

[27:47] Alright, this first slide shows Texas Bridge Condition Store starting in 2010.

[27:54] The Bridge Condition Score provides a comprehensive measure of our overall physical health of

[27:59] Texas bridges.

[28:00] The score is an average of each bridge's condition rating weighted by the deck area.

[28:05] The target BCS is 90 by the year 2035.

[28:10] And Texas has made significant progress over the last four years.

[28:14] And as you can see, if you look at 2022, we were at 88.86, and in the last four years,

[28:22] our BCS has increased.

[28:24] As of April 2026, we are at a BCS of 89.45, so we are on the right track.

[28:33] This next graph depicts the percent poor bridge trends over the last 15 years.

[28:37] Texas continues to maintain one of the lowest percentages of poor bridge deck area nationally with less than 1% of our bridge inventory and poor condition.

[28:49] And again, if you look at the year 2022, which is along the bottom, we were at 1.31%.

[28:56] And from then we have been decreasing our percentage poor, which means we are trending in the right direction.

[29:05] And as of April 2026, we were at, or as of March 2026, we were at 0.84%.

[29:15] So Text.Launched, our four-year bridge program plan in 2022, and it has made a significant

[29:21] difference.

[29:23] The goal of the program is for districts to develop a specific bridge program plan

[29:28] to ensure that off-system bridges and poor, on-system bridges and poor, on and off-system

[29:35] and bridges in poor condition are reduced and good and fair condition bridges are maintained.

[29:43] The plans are fiscally constrained, which means that they are tied to a forecasted budget.

[29:49] So the districts present their plan to myself, district engineers, and our Bridge Division

[29:56] and deputy director, a SOA panel, and they're evaluated

[30:00] On bridge condition, programming, safety inspections, and preventative maintenance. After each of

[30:08] these recommendations and best practices are shared with administration and all the districts.

[30:16] So since 2022, this program has brought more focus to the importance of bridge asset management

[30:24] data-driven decisions. The picture on the right shows a San Antonio Bridge maintenance

[30:31] crew working on a joint.

[30:36] So this is just a snapshot of some of the best practices that

[30:40] came out of those four-year bridge plan meetings. So the first best practice that's listed

[30:45] is leveraging our dashboards and the data analytics. And this involves using dashboards

[30:50] regularly, but also using data to understand trends, to guide resource planning and allocation.

[30:58] So having also having a formal preventative maintenance plan for all bridges that includes

[31:04] the bridge type, the frequency of maintenance cycles and funding.

[31:08] And another key best practice is performing in-house special inspections after any work

[31:14] is done on a bridge, and this validates the improvement, but also documents any new

[31:19] field conditions and then next using a combination of contractors and state

[31:25] forces for maintaining our bridge assets because sometimes state forces get the

[31:30] work done quicker and at a much lower cost and then lastly prioritizing work on

[31:36] bridges that recently dropped from good or fair condition to slow the

[31:40] deterioration and improve cost effectiveness and so this is using the

[31:46] data to be strategic and economical about taking care of our bridges.

[31:52] And so my last slide goes over some bridge innovations that focus on bridge asset management.

[31:59] So at the top, the Tableau dashboards that we use to track bridge maintenance in real

[32:03] time.

[32:04] And next, we use asset management software to forecast bridge deterioration.

[32:09] And it uses historical bridge data and deterioration models that are specific to Texas to identify

[32:16] bridge treatment timelines from an economical perspective.

[32:20] Over the last couple of years, we've started using non-destructive scanning techniques for

[32:26] our bridge decks and unknown bridge foundations.

[32:30] We also use drones for some bridge assessments when it's hard to get to a specific area

[32:35] on the bridge.

[32:36] The picture on the right shows the drone footage picture from the U.S. 90 Pekas River High Bridge, which is 273 feet above water.

[32:50] Another innovation we use is remote sensing on select bridges known to have reoccurring bridge strikes.

[32:57] And then lastly, digital delivery and digital twins. As we progress these technologies, we'll start using them more for asset management.

[33:05] And now I'll turn the presentation over to my colleague James Stevenson, Director of Maintenance

[33:13] Division, to provide an update on the pavement program.

[33:20] Thank you, Jamie.

[33:22] Good morning, commissioners.

[33:23] I will be providing a presentation about the textile pavement program.

[33:30] This slide shows the pavement condition from 2001 to 2025.

[33:34] The 2001 date is important because that is the date that the commission set the goal

[33:38] of textile pavements to be 90% good or better condition.

[33:42] I will discuss the adjustment we made to address the downward trend that's shown there in between

[33:47] 2005 and 2009.

[33:49] The downturn you see in the 2011 to 2012 timeframe was due to rapid growth in the

[33:54] energy sector, including the Eagleford Shale and the Permian Basin.

[33:59] The 2017 drop was the first year that we did automated pavement data collection,

[34:04] which greatly improved the amount of information we had on distresses and ride for our pavements.

[34:11] So, TEXOT launched the four-year pavement management process in 2008. The goal was to

[34:16] empower districts to develop comprehensive, road-specific, and fissile-constrained plans

[34:21] for our pavement maintenance and rehabilitation. Over time, districts have adopted this as

[34:27] a standard operating procedure, beginning the planning process in each year around August

[34:33] or September.

[34:34] The structured approach has played a critical role in driving our success and aligning statewide

[34:39] efforts towards pavement-conditioned goals.

[34:44] Texas's model when it comes to statewide pavement management is keep good roads good

[34:49] and reduce poor road lane miles.

[34:51] We do this by utilizing both in-house employees and contractors.

[34:56] This helps combat labor issues and knowledge loss.

[35:01] We also take a balanced approach to how individual projects are handled.

[35:04] The goals listed are reported to the Legislative Budget Board.

[35:08] We have exceeded these goals the last three years.

[35:11] This is a primary driver to meeting the commission goal of 90% good or better payment conditions.

[35:19] Portable way in motion, or portable WIM, and Wavetronics are both game-changing technologies

[35:24] used to give our districts better information to design longer-lasting and better-performing payments.

[35:30] The portable WIM system records and classifies vehicle traffic data

[35:33] The sensor is installed on the pavement surface that does not include trenching.

[35:40] Installation takes about 40 minutes per lane and data is collected about 7 to 21 days.

[35:46] The Wavetronic system uses radar to count and classify vehicles.

[35:50] System accuracy are greater than 90% for both portable WIM and Wavetronics when properly

[35:55] installed and well calibrated.

[35:58] This is the summary of installations on the map there completed to date.

[36:02] All 25 districts have been covered with a minimum of three highway installations per district.

[36:07] 140 counties out of 254 in Texas have had these installations.

[36:14] 359 highways and 920 lanes have been measured since we began this process.

[36:21] Other innovations that have led to TechSOT's successful pavement program

[36:24] are the automated statewide pavement data collection, the maintenance peer review process,

[36:29] process, improve payment design through portable WIM and Wavetronics data, and improve payment

[36:33] design software.

[36:35] The recent use of payment data provided by the Traffic Speed Deflectometer technology,

[36:40] and finally targeted research and innovation including advanced sensing, modeling, and

[36:45] AI to improve distress, detection, and preservation decision making.

[36:50] Many of these innovations have been done in conjunction with Texas universities and

[36:54] organizations like TTI and CTR.

[36:57] With that, I will turn the presentation back over to Jessica.

[37:03] Thank you, James, and Jamie.

[37:05] So as you can see, commissioners, despite the size and demands of our system,

[37:09] we've taken a performance-based approach to how we're managing

[37:12] our bridge and pavement programs statewide using dashboards

[37:15] and very data-driven decisions, as well as four-year plans

[37:18] and technology and innovation to help achieve significant results.

[37:23] The highest performance outcomes we've seen historically in these areas,

[37:26] we really appreciate the opportunity to be able to share this update with you

[37:30] this morning and all three of us will be here to answer any questions or receive

[37:35] any comments that you have.

[37:39] Commissioners are there any remarks or questions for

[37:41] this team?

[37:44] Okay Commissioner Vaughn. Okay quick question.

[37:50] We met with an

[37:51] individual yesterday. He was an artist and he said that he could tell whether he was

[38:04] in Texas or not by the sound of driving on the pavement. I believe it. He said

[38:12] when you're in Texas you know you're on Texas roads. That's right. Anyway these

[38:17] policies and procedures that you all went over, do we share this with metropolitan areas?

[38:24] I mean, you know, at least in Dallas, the worst roads are city-owned because there's

[38:33] so many potholes, et cetera, et cetera.

[38:36] And is there much interaction between our districts and at least the large municipalities

[38:44] that could benefit from things that we do?

[38:46] So I'll say everything that we presented today from both the bridge side and the pavement side are statewide practices, right?

[38:54] So they apply statewide, but the pavement side is focused on on system

[38:58] So I don't know if there's anything you want to add to that about off-system routes

[39:01] At least on the pavement side because we do have work on off-system bridges there

[39:06] So that was included in the presentation, but the pavements are a little different

[39:10] So for some of the reporting that we do to FHWA

[39:13] way, we do actually do the same automated measurements on a lot of our off system payments,

[39:18] especially in the metro areas, because they're on what's called the NHS, the National Highway

[39:22] System. So we have to measure them for submittals to FHWA. So those cities and local municipalities

[39:30] get that information from us. My staff is also in the past provided training to

[39:37] metro MPOs and metro areas on our processes and the way we do things so yes

[39:43] all this information is publicly available and we are open to any invites

[39:47] to share this information thank you very much yes sir

[39:53] questions from any other

[39:54] commissioners okay I have a couple would you just go back to slide 28 okay

[40:09] Okay. So you've been referencing on and off system public meetings. I like definitions for anyone that's not familiar with our terminology. So on and off system on system are the roadways that we maintain here at the DOT. They're considered our roadways versus off system are sort of the city and county streets that they

[40:31] maintain so on and off system okay and why do our bridge people handle off

[40:36] system bridges so through our category six funding which is for bridge

[40:45] rehabilitation and replacement we do set aside funding for off system bridges

[40:51] they have to contribute some to that dollar amount but we have a program set

[40:58] to help the local governments.

[41:02] So some of them probably have the capability

[41:05] of some of the expertise, but some of them really don't, right?

[41:08] So it's pretty important on bridges

[41:10] that we have the ability to collaborate

[41:13] and help them with the off-system bridges.

[41:16] So a county may own it, a city may own it,

[41:19] that kind of thing, correct?

[41:21] Correct.

[41:21] On and off system.

[41:23] What's a lane mile?

[41:28] So lane miles literally is just a lane mile of pavement.

[41:30] So, we measure usually in two traditional ways, we do center lane miles, which is just it doesn't matter how many lanes there are, it's just one mile of the stretch of roadway.

[41:41] The lane miles are breakdown of individual lane miles. So, a center lane mile, like I say, on a six lane divided highway would be have six lane miles of pavement.

[41:50] That's what I wanted to make sure you talk about. So, you know, if you're on a three lanes on an interstate, it's one, two, three times a mile, three lane miles.

[42:00] Yes, sir.

[42:01] Yes, sir.

[42:01] Okay.

[42:02] Would we go to 30 and 31, please?

[42:09] Did you go back to that photo just momentarily?

[42:11] There's your 273 foot above water bridge on US 90 down by Comstock and Del Rio, so anyway.

[42:22] Okay.

[42:22] I just want to point out quickly, we mostly want things to go up and to the right, right?

[42:27] And so you see the line up there and you see that she has the, this is Director

[42:33] You know, they're headed up and to the right, everything's looking good.

[42:36] And then you go to the next one.

[42:38] I don't want you to look at that and think things are going badly.

[42:42] Because in this case, we want things to go to the right and lower.

[42:47] So this one looks abnormal.

[42:50] I think if you just glance at it, you think, what's going wrong?

[42:54] But things are going right.

[42:55] So she's getting less and less poor bridge deck trends.

[43:00] She's down to 0.87, 0.89, 0.84 with her team and all the folks in maintenance and so wanted

[43:07] to just talk about that very quickly and then I want to go to 39.

[43:17] This is, I don't mean to poke at anybody, but it's always fun when you have engineers

[43:25] doing presentations, it's like, wasn't this fun?

[43:30] This is really doing well is not how they talk.

[43:32] and this is really doing well okay this is a big deal the before this we had way

[43:40] in motion not portable but weight in motion devices they were built into the

[43:47] highway so every time you reconstructed or did maintenance on the highway you

[43:51] could tear up that weight in motion device and so they were out of order as

[43:55] much as they were in order and also because they're built into it truck

[44:01] traffic and things like that could could overwhelm them over time. This is getting

[44:06] that off of the highway, putting it beside the highway for a fraction of the

[44:11] cost. Okay, so this is using technology to do something really important. The

[44:16] reason it's been done in 140 out of 254 counties. Okay, the reason it's been

[44:23] done is because they're gaining confidence in this and understanding it.

[44:27] Wavetronics is even more portable and quicker to use and inexpensive and it is

[44:35] now rating somewhere around 92 93 percent as accurate as the weight in

[44:42] motion device so they're now what they're doing is they're learning that

[44:46] that 36 percent of the traffic is trucks before they do the maintenance so

[44:52] that they can build a road or rebuild a road to meet the actual usage on that road.

[45:00] So, this is really fun stuff. I knew you meant it that way, right, James? Okay, well anyway,

[45:06] that's really fun stuff. Yes sir. Outstanding. Okay, so I want to spend a little time on that

[45:11] to tell you that we've moved away from some things that aren't working to things that

[45:15] are less expensive, more portable, and can do the work and allow us to build better roads

[45:21] and rebuild roads in a better way. Really cool stuff. Okay, yeah. Outstanding, that

[45:28] That was my stuff.

[45:29] Thank you very much.

[45:30] I appreciate you guys.

[45:31] And this is a celebration of good things.

[45:34] And so thank you for everybody on your teams and in the maintenance world out there for

[45:39] hitting these kinds of results.

[45:41] Okay?

[45:41] Thank you.

[45:42] Good job.

[45:43] Thank you to Jessica Jamie and James, the three Js, triple Js there.

[45:50] But you know, really wanted to thank you all for allowing us to really just highlight

[45:55] the tremendous work that goes into it.

[45:58] It's a combination of skill, strategy,

[46:03] and also science as well.

[46:05] And when you talk about the technology,

[46:09] over the coming months, we're going to be talking about

[46:11] our legislative appropriation request and the investments

[46:14] that we need to improve technology.

[46:17] And when we invest in that technology,

[46:19] we begin to see some real trade-offs in that area.

[46:22] And so that's very important.

[46:23] and I appreciate you all letting us out like that.

[46:25] Quick timeline, when I came on this commission in 2018,

[46:29] there were zero wave tronics, zero portable weight

[46:33] in motion devices.

[46:35] And then some eight years and eight and a half years later,

[46:40] it's very important to our process.

[46:42] It's just really nice and neat to see us adapt and evolve

[46:46] and get better at what we do.

[46:49] Thank you, Chairman and Commissioners.

[46:51] And as we're needing to adapt and evolve, it brings us to item 5B, which is an update

[46:57] on Texas' population growth and its impact on our transportation system and our transportation

[47:02] planning and program delivery.

[47:05] Deputy Executive Director Brian Barth is here to kick this presentation off.

[47:11] So thank you.

[47:12] I assure you I'm not going to be another engineer doing the presentation.

[47:16] I'm going to get somebody that does a really good job.

[47:19] So, we do a population trends update every year.

[47:24] We like to do it in the middle of our UTP cycle to inform us

[47:30] on project selections and that kind of thing.

[47:32] It's not the only thing we use, but it's a big factor

[47:36] in what we use to inform us on project selection.

[47:39] So, you all probably remember Dr. Potter has been doing

[47:45] these things for us for a number of years.

[47:46] He has retired and so we're glad to have the new state demographer Dr. Helen Yu to come

[47:55] and give us these population trends.

[47:57] So it's all yours.

[47:58] Thank you.

[48:01] Thank you for the introduction.

[48:03] My name is Helen Yu.

[48:05] I'm the interim director of the Texas Demographic Center at UT Centennial.

[48:10] We're now the third largest university in the state after merger.

[48:15] So, today I'm going to provide an update on the most recent population trend in Texas.

[48:26] Can we pull this slide?

[48:28] Oh, I do.

[48:32] Okay.

[48:33] So, let me start with the state estimates as of July 2025.

[48:39] According to the Census Bureau, we have a population of about 31.7 million.

[48:45] This is an increase of about 391K from the year before and 1.2% increase.

[48:55] These are slower than usual years we have, but compared to the nation,

[49:02] which had only about 0.5% of increase, we doubled the growth rate of the nation.

[49:08] Across the nation, despite the slow growth rate, only five states have lost population

[49:15] during the same period, California on the list, again, Hawaii, New Mexico, Vermont, and

[49:24] West Virginia, depicted in the dark colors, no, lighter colors in the map.

[49:31] On the other end of the spectrum are the gross states.

[49:34] the map shows the states was the fastest growth rate, Texas was among them, and

[49:41] also the only the biggest state at the other states are all smaller

[49:49] states. In terms of numeric growth we again top the chart was the biggest

[49:56] numeric gain during the period. Other states include Florida, North Carolina,

[50:01] Georgia and South Carolina, right? And so this is a chart that breaks down the

[50:07] daily population change average and then also the components of those change. We

[50:14] had a down year in COVID the lowest year with less than 1,000 change in

[50:21] population and but we had the peak there in 2024 with more than 1600 growth

[50:29] daily of population. Breaking it down into three components starting from the

[50:35] blue ones on the bottom. Those are natural increase which is my birth minus

[50:42] death. Of course we hit the low during COVID but we came back after COVID and

[50:49] now natural increase in 2020 between 2024 and 2025 accounted for about 40

[50:56] percent of the growth, the last part there. Going up are the two migration

[51:02] components. Orange is the net domestic migration, green net international

[51:07] migration. Net domestic migration has been very strong, however in the last two

[51:14] years we have seen them being decreased almost by half from previous year. So

[51:21] very low in domestic migration that something will keep monitoring. The

[51:26] international migration probably you have heard this and it's not surprising during COVID was

[51:31] very low but then we had three about three years of surge in immigration especially between 2023

[51:37] and 2024 but however between July 2024 and July 2025 we had half year of fast increase or a large

[51:48] number of inflow but then half year of very of declined immigration so that's what's it's

[51:54] here. All right, across the state, this is the estimates of all the counties. You know,

[52:02] many people here are familiar with the map. Again, the population is concentrated in the triangle

[52:07] and along the Corridor, 35 Corridor, the 112 counties own that I-35, an east of I-35,

[52:17] now reside 27.3 million of Texas population and account for 87.3%. It's

[52:26] been increasing even in 2020. It was about little over 87%, but now it has

[52:34] increased by 2 percentage point even in the last five years. Okay and then the

[52:42] The next one shows you the change, a numeric population change.

[52:48] Despite our high, or fast growth, 108 Texas counties have lost population, mostly in West

[52:58] Texas, in rural Texas.

[53:01] And again, not surprisingly, the growth continued the trend, concentrated in the triangle areas

[53:08] and part of the Permian Basin in West Texas.

[53:13] Something stood out this year is Dallas up there,

[53:18] in red or orange.

[53:22] It has lost population mainly because of the decline in international migration.

[53:28] And this is just the table of that map. It's a busy table

[53:32] because I've included population estimates, growth,

[53:36] its rank in the nation and more importantly the components of change

[53:40] contribution from that three components there. So I just want to highlight a few

[53:46] things you know most of these counties are big counties except for Dallas. Dallas

[53:51] is not on the list and among the top ten nationwide counties with

[53:59] numeric change big numeric change we had six and also if you look to the

[54:04] To the right, I want to highlight the column on the right-hand side here, change from domestic

[54:11] migration.

[54:12] Most of these counties, or big counties, but their growth come from things other than domestic

[54:19] migration.

[54:20] In fact, many of these counties have seen negative domestic migration.

[54:25] For example, Harris County, Tarrant, Travis, Hildelgo, and Bear County, you know, it's

[54:33] not seeing a lot.

[54:34] It's still positive, but we're not seeing lots of in domestic migration lots of these

[54:40] net

[54:42] Negative migration was due to the out migration to the surrounding counties as we can see here

[54:48] This is a different picture

[54:51] percent population change here

[54:53] Many of the smaller medium-sized counties emerge as the fastest growing counties

[55:00] Most of them are on the outer edge on the outside or outer edge of the major

[55:07] metropolitan statistical areas in the Triangle area. Again nothing really new

[55:13] suburban rain counties but we do see some of expansions to to further our

[55:20] counties further away from the center. Okay and again this is the table showing

[55:26] that. Similar tables than before. I want to highlight the number one county with the fastest

[55:34] growth is Waller. This is nationwide. Waller County which is west of the Houston area.

[55:45] So with the growth rate of 6%, the other thing I want to point out is among the top

[55:51] 10, we have six there, six counties there in Texas, and also among all these counties

[55:58] almost all their growth, or majority of their growth, can be attributable to domestic migration

[56:06] and in many cases, domestic migration from the central big counties.

[56:13] So this one highlights the domestic migration pattern.

[56:17] We use this one uses the five-year average to remove some of the volatility we have from year to year.

[56:25] On this map, 99 counties, most of them again, almost all of them West Texas and then some rural counties in these Texas.

[56:36] 99 counties have lost migrants to other counties, either in the state or other counties in the nation.

[56:43] The Texas Triangle is where you see, and East Texas is where you see positive net migration

[56:51] in, and the Triangle areas in suburban areas are the areas where people move to.

[56:58] What also stand out is the hollow or sometimes red in the center of those Triangle areas.

[57:08] areas. So basically, as I often say, this is like two tiles of one state, right? You have

[57:14] West Texas where people are still moving in into the metropolitan statistical areas. However,

[57:20] in East Texas, it's the suburban ring, and sometimes even rural counties surrounding

[57:26] the central counties that are getting people moving out there.

[57:33] And another trend I wanted to highlight and by now probably it's not new to many people.

[57:41] So we have seen a decline in fertility trend.

[57:46] This trend is expressed by the birth per 1,000 women childbearing age 15 to 44.

[57:54] There are other ways to express that, but this is where we can see also the trend broken

[57:59] down by race ethnicity. Hispanics continue to have the highest fertility although they seem to be

[58:06] converging to the other race ethnicity. The other thing people have always have been wondering is

[58:12] you know we saw like almost the lowest point during COVID. We did see some tick up after COVID

[58:19] as I can I marked there in the dashed line after 2020 we saw some tick up many wonder hey are

[58:27] are we going back to our high fertility state?

[58:30] Unfortunately, 2024, we began to see the declining trend again.

[58:35] There are questions about whether there

[58:37] are some artifacts like data on the estimated denominators.

[58:41] But one thing is clear that we're probably not

[58:44] going back to a high fertility level.

[58:46] We're going to stay there in the low fertility level

[58:50] for a while.

[58:52] OK.

[58:53] And this is another end goal to look at growth.

[58:56] This one shows you the percent of housing built after 2020, the new housings that

[59:03] have been built. And it coincides with where you see growth, right? New

[59:10] housings are more predominant in areas with high growth around the triangle. I

[59:17] feel like I have said that many times. The suburban rains are surrounding the

[59:22] triangle metro areas and and also you know occasionally some of the the

[59:29] metropolitan areas in the West rural counties show very limited recent

[59:36] construction. And then let me move on to the future. This is our latest

[59:44] population projections. We renew our population projections every other year

[59:49] According to our latest projection, we project that the state population to be 42.6 million

[59:56] under the medium migration.

[1:00:00] Immigration scenario by 2060, which is the orange line. Compared to the dash line, which

[1:00:05] was our previous vintage, we adjusted the trend down again, mainly because of the declining

[1:00:14] trend of fertility. We also provide two other scenarios, all connected to the national projections

[1:00:26] with high and low immigration scenarios, right?

[1:00:31] Moving on, this is how we project

[1:00:33] the three components of change.

[1:00:35] We kind of have kept the migration components

[1:00:39] relatively constant with a little bit of growth.

[1:00:43] However, we did project the fertility

[1:00:47] to continue to stay at the lower level

[1:00:50] and because of the aging of the population,

[1:00:52] there will be more deaths occurring in the near future, so at some point in the projection horizon

[1:01:00] we may see natural decline sometime in the horizon there. And across the county, this is again not

[1:01:11] new patterns. We project that there will be more counties losing population in the future,

[1:01:16] 139 of them. Some of the facts or things I want to highlight, by current MSA definition,

[1:01:27] 99% of the state's growth will be there, will occur in those counties. And the four MSAs there

[1:01:36] in green shades, not counting all the 120, but just the four MSAs, their share will grow from

[1:01:46] the current 67% to 74% by the end of 2060.

[1:01:54] Okay, so, and then this is the percent change.

[1:01:58] Again, what emerged will be the suburban rain counties

[1:02:03] and West Texas, the Permian Basin,

[1:02:06] if the oil industry grow or thrive as in the last decade.

[1:02:12] So that area is less predictable than other areas of the state, understandably.

[1:02:20] Okay, with that I'm going to conclude and I want to thank the leadership, thank the planning branch

[1:02:28] who has been working with us for many, many years, and I want to echo what was said earlier

[1:02:34] with our collaborations, with us combining our strengths together.

[1:02:39] we can do great works here. Thank you very much.

[1:02:51] Commissioner, are there any remarks or questions for Dr. Hughes?

[1:02:57] One quick remark.

[1:03:01] If you could go back to your second slide, or the first slide after the

[1:03:06] opening slide. I don't have a question for you, just

[1:03:09] a comment for the public.

[1:03:13] The one with the

[1:03:15] population increase. Yeah, there you go. So

[1:03:18] So, the U.S. population...

[1:03:21] No, I'm so sorry.

[1:03:23] Let me see the wrong direction.

[1:03:28] Here.

[1:03:29] So the United States has a current population of 342 million,

[1:03:33] and the increase for the nation was 0.5 percent national growth.

[1:03:40] So, you know, that is about, actually ran at a million 710,

[1:03:48] is what was added to the nation.

[1:03:50] So this number 391,000 is 23% of the US population increase.

[1:03:59] So that's just to me that underlines the challenge

[1:04:03] that we have for transportation and our budgeting

[1:04:06] in the state of Texas.

[1:04:08] It's an ongoing challenge.

[1:04:09] It's a good problem to have.

[1:04:12] We would not want to be losing population in the state

[1:04:17] for a lot of reasons.

[1:04:17] But I just think that, you know, when you realize that Texas is responsible for 23% of the population increase,

[1:04:26] it's pretty, you know, pretty interesting.

[1:04:31] Thank you. Thank you.

[1:04:34] Any other commissioners? Any other questions or statements? Okay.

[1:04:38] Dr. Yu, thank you very much for presenting to us and thanks for the information.

[1:04:42] And

[1:04:48] to underscore that, Commissioner Vaughn, you know, as we're talking about federal funding

[1:04:52] and it goes into bridges and maintenance and everything we do, the formula is that Congress

[1:04:57] has used to distribute those federal funds have been frozen since 2000, since the early

[1:05:02] 2000s.

[1:05:03] So all of that population growth has not been accounted for.

[1:05:08] And I'm just going to leave that right there and not give myself worked up about that

[1:05:12] and move on with your permission, Chair Neu, to item six, and this is, item six is going

[1:05:19] to be the consideration of, let me make sure I'm on the right one, yes I am, it's consideration

[1:05:26] of Federal and State Aviation Awards in Airport Planning and Programming.

[1:05:29] Section Director Michael VanVeeliet is here and he will present this item.

[1:05:33] Michael?

[1:05:34] Good morning and thank you.

[1:05:36] This minute order contains a request for grant funding, approval for seven capital

[1:05:40] improvement projects. Cities and counties requesting grants, funding sources and amounts requested

[1:05:46] are included in exhibit A. A public hearing was held on April 6 and no comments were received.

[1:05:52] Staff recommends approval. I will stand by for questions if you have any.

[1:05:57] Commissioner, are there any remarks or questions for Section Director Bentley? Seeing none.

[1:06:07] May I have a motion to approve the Federal and State Aviation Awards in accordance with

[1:06:11] staff's recommendation.

[1:06:14] Commissioner Alvis has moved approval. Commissioner Vaughn is

[1:06:18] seconded to the motion. Call for the vote. All those in favor?

[1:06:23] Aye.

[1:06:25] Motion passes unanimously. I wanted you to

[1:06:29] note that you were ever bit as efficient as Dan Harmon.

[1:06:33] I appreciate that. I will let him know. Thank you.

[1:06:37] Next is item seven and this is a consideration of approving a request for grant applications

[1:06:42] to construct electric vehicle charging stations

[1:06:44] in rural county seats and metropolitan areas,

[1:06:47] transportation planning and programming division director

[1:06:49] Umberto Tito Gonzalez is here and he will present this item.

[1:06:53] Tito.

[1:06:54] Thank you.

[1:06:54] Good morning Acting Chair,

[1:06:55] new commissioners and director Williams.

[1:06:57] So before we ask for specific approval on this minute order,

[1:07:00] I wanted to give the public and the commission just a reminder

[1:07:03] and background on this program.

[1:07:04] So in 2021, the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act,

[1:07:08] or IEJA for short,

[1:07:09] established a national electric vehicle

[1:07:11] electrical infrastructure program, or NEVY for short, and allocated what is now $323

[1:07:17] million to deploy electric vehicle charging stations across the state.

[1:07:21] TechStots' role is limited to facilitating this federal pass-through competitive grant

[1:07:25] program for NEVY with no state funds being used.

[1:07:30] Federal funds pay 80% of the construction cost plus five years of operation and maintenance

[1:07:36] with the private sector developers who are awarded grants through this program paying the remaining 20%.

[1:07:43] After receiving final Navy rules from HWA in 2023,

[1:07:50] the Texas Electric Vehicle Implementation Plan was finalized by TPP

[1:07:55] and approved by the Transportation Commission in August of 2023.

[1:08:00] This approval then authorized text out to commence with Navy Phase 1.

[1:08:04] So as a reminder, Navy Phase 1 allocated 53 million focus on developing electric vehicle charging stations

[1:08:11] along our alternate fuel corridors, which are mostly our interstate highways across the state,

[1:08:16] with stations located outside of state right away and within one mile from these interstates.

[1:08:22] Phase 1 approved construction of electric vehicle charging stations at 65 sites across the state

[1:08:28] with 15 of these sites already open and operational to the public.

[1:08:34] And those stretch as far as why in the north to Happy Texas,

[1:08:37] in the south, in Sinow, Texas, in west Texas to Bomberay,

[1:08:41] and even Fort Worth.

[1:08:42] And I would like to advise the commission in public

[1:08:45] that we have a landing page for Nevy.

[1:08:48] If you search text.nevy in Google,

[1:08:51] it will take you right to our landing page

[1:08:52] with all the information about the program

[1:08:54] as well as photos of all the sites

[1:08:56] that are currently open to the public.

[1:08:58] So with that said, NEVY then, sorry, FHWA then approved

[1:09:05] our phase one fully build out status in January, 2026,

[1:09:09] which is why we are before you today here at the commission.

[1:09:11] So this minute order being brought today,

[1:09:14] request approval for text dot to begin NEVY phase two

[1:09:17] and take the following actions.

[1:09:20] First, proceed with the proposed sites identified

[1:09:23] for Phase 2 of the NEVY program within county, seats, and metropolitan areas for an estimated

[1:09:29] cost of between $250 to $275 million, which includes the operation and maintenance of these

[1:09:36] sites for five years, two, to issue one or more requests for grant applications to

[1:09:41] construct electric vehicle charging stations in county seats and metropolitan areas, three,

[1:09:47] to award one or more grants in accordance with the evaluation and selection process set

[1:09:51] forth in the request for grant applications and program manual.

[1:09:56] And lastly, to authorize the executive director to enter into grant agreements with the selected

[1:10:01] applicants awarded said grants.

[1:10:04] Staff recommends approval of this minute order and is here to answer any questions you

[1:10:08] may have.

[1:10:09] Thank you.

[1:10:11] Commissioner, are there any remarks or questions for Director Gonzales?

[1:10:16] No, seeing none, may I have a motion to approve a request for grant applications

[1:10:22] to construct electric vehicle charging stations

[1:10:24] in accordance with staff's recommendation?

[1:10:28] Commissioner Mead's moved approval.

[1:10:30] Second.

[1:10:30] Commissioner Gordon has seconded.

[1:10:34] Call for the vote.

[1:10:34] All those in favor, please say aye.

[1:10:36] Aye.

[1:10:37] Any opposed?

[1:10:38] Motion passes unanimously.

[1:10:40] And Director Williams.

[1:10:42] Thank you, Chair Knew.

[1:10:43] Moving on to item eight.

[1:10:44] And this is the consideration of approving the selection

[1:10:47] of the proposer who submitted the best value proposal

[1:10:50] and the conditional award of a design build contract

[1:10:54] and its corresponding capital maintenance contract

[1:10:56] to the selected proposer for the design, construction,

[1:11:00] and maintenance of the State Highway 99

[1:11:02] Grand Parkway Segment B-1 project.

[1:11:05] Alternative delivery division director,

[1:11:08] Greg Snyder is here and he will present this item.

[1:11:10] Greg.

[1:11:11] Thank you. Good morning.

[1:11:12] So this morning I have the privilege to provide you

[1:11:15] with an overview of the State Highway 99

[1:11:16] Grant Parkway Segment B project and present our recommendation for Best Value Proposer

[1:11:21] for Contracts Conditional Award.

[1:11:27] To move this critical project forward, we're seeking the commission's action on three key

[1:11:32] items.

[1:11:33] First, authorize the Conditional Award of the Design-Built Contract and Capital Maintenance

[1:11:38] Contracts to the proposer that offers the best value.

[1:11:41] Second, authorize TechStyle's executive director to finalize all negotiations with that

[1:11:46] and make any necessary modifications to prepare those contracts for execution.

[1:11:51] Third, in the event that we're unable to successfully negotiate with Best Buy a Proposer,

[1:11:57] move along to the second ranked proposer.

[1:12:00] And then just to write this, this recommended commission action is preceded

[1:12:06] by the designation of State Highway 99 and State Highway B1

[1:12:09] as a toll project as of January last year.

[1:12:14] or January 2024 commission meeting actually.

[1:12:18] Okay, so moving along,

[1:12:20] a little bit about the design build project scope.

[1:12:23] So design build project limits are approximately

[1:12:24] from FM2403 to FM646,

[1:12:29] shown in the blue on the map there,

[1:12:31] roughly Alvin over to 45, highway 45.

[1:12:37] The orange line represents

[1:12:38] the design bid build project limits.

[1:12:40] Together they form the complete

[1:12:42] Grand Parkway segment B1. Ultimately this project is designed to deliver

[1:12:47] significant long-term benefits to the region by improving safety and mobility,

[1:12:52] system connectivity, opportunities for economic development,

[1:12:55] and alternative routes for emergency evacuation.

[1:13:01] A little more of an overview on the project.

[1:13:03] So the project is approximately 15 miles in length.

[1:13:07] The green-filled portion of the project, the State Highway 999 portion of the project

[1:13:12] will include four new toll lanes with discontinuous frontage roads, connectors with the State Highway

[1:13:18] 35 interchange. As part of the project, there will be 1.3 miles of non-tolled improvements

[1:13:26] to State Highway 35 in form of main lanes and additional 4.6 miles of operational improvements

[1:13:32] made to State Highway 35.

[1:13:37] A little on the funding. So the total design build cost

[1:13:43] estimate is approximately 1.96 billion. Estimated funding for this product is

[1:13:48] divided into two components. The State Highway 99 portion which includes the

[1:13:52] new toll lanes and associated improvements. And then the non-tolled

[1:13:56] portion which includes the State Highway 35 non-tolled main lanes near

[1:14:01] near the interchange.

[1:14:02] So the Grand Parkway Transportation Corporation,

[1:14:04] which manages and finances the State Highway 99

[1:14:06] toll road system around Houston,

[1:14:09] will fund the total portion of the design build contract

[1:14:11] using toll revenue debt and available system cash.

[1:14:14] The non-tolled State Highway 35 portion of the project

[1:14:17] will be funded using Texas' traditional funding categories

[1:14:21] with an approximate total value of 187 million.

[1:14:27] So a little on to the,

[1:14:29] so we received proposals from three short-listed

[1:14:32] proposal teams and alphabetical order here. These are the three teams. Ferroville Construction,

[1:14:40] Floor, Enterprises and Williams Brothers.

[1:14:45] Since receiving the proposals, the department has

[1:14:48] performed a rigorous evaluation to determine the best value of a proposal. The best value

[1:14:52] scoring has two components with up to 70 points for price and up to 30 points for the quality

[1:14:58] of the technical components.

[1:15:00] of their proposals.

[1:15:04] So, before we move on to the next slide, I'd like to thank the teams that

[1:15:08] submitted their proposals. Quite an extensive amount of work went into preparing these proposals

[1:15:14] for the department. We've been in a procurement, active procurement for well over a year. I'd

[1:15:20] also like to thank Glenn's team in Houston and the tech side folks who are very much

[1:15:24] involved and did this above and beyond their day-to-day job duties helped us out with the

[1:15:31] evaluation.

[1:15:31] So with that, the detailed evaluations resulted in the determination of the best value proposer

[1:15:38] being Ferroville Construction Webber 99.

[1:15:42] And so the breakdown here on this slide shows the rankings of the total score for

[1:15:48] three proposers, as well as the price received from the Froga-Weber team, component price,

[1:15:57] design bill contract, capital maintenance contract, some there, approximately 1.47 billion.

[1:16:08] All right, next steps.

[1:16:10] So with your approval, the next steps are to negotiate those final terms of design

[1:16:13] bill contract, hold public hearings and disclosure of financial information in accordance

[1:16:18] with statutes, obtain FHWA concurrence with the final award.

[1:16:23] We anticipate the final award in contract execution,

[1:16:26] would the contract execution happen this summer?

[1:16:30] Substantial completion of this project would be anticipated

[1:16:33] in winter of 2031, 2032.

[1:16:36] Staff recommends approval of this minute order

[1:16:38] and available for any questions.

[1:16:43] Commissioners, questions or comments?

[1:16:45] Commissioner Alvis?

[1:16:47] I'd use some comments.

[1:16:47] I really want to compliment the Houston District,

[1:16:50] Glenn and his team, and Mark, and everybody

[1:16:53] involved from the time those counties gave up

[1:16:57] primacy to tech stock.

[1:16:59] This is just record speed getting the contract

[1:17:03] let from that time.

[1:17:05] And really impressive.

[1:17:08] And I know the team worked incredibly hard.

[1:17:11] We thought it was going to be a $1.9 billion project.

[1:17:14] That's a $500 million savings that can be used elsewhere in that system.

[1:17:21] This is a big chunk of getting from 45 South to 59 South and completing the 167 mile Grand

[1:17:31] Parkway around Greater Houston.

[1:17:33] This is a key evacuation route and of course you just saw the demographics of the growth

[1:17:39] of those corridors are just massive growth in residential population. So job

[1:17:46] well done, this is well on its way and very very important to Texas. Thank you.

[1:17:55] Thank you Commissioner Alvis. So one of the things to note that's Commissioner

[1:18:00] Alvis's biggest contribution, one of his biggest contributions to our

[1:18:05] Commission and each one of us brings strengths, but his is efficiency. That's

[1:18:10] what he works on. So that's good stuff. Now, you should have let me go first because yours

[1:18:16] was better. But important to this, I thought, we're connecting Alvin to the rest of the world.

[1:18:33] And then from that though, I did want to just have, maybe it doesn't matter to me,

[1:18:39] You make a stab at it.

[1:18:41] If you need help, we'll get you some help, okay?

[1:18:44] Tolls, and we're in a non-toll environment,

[1:18:47] but this one is grandfathered, right?

[1:18:50] So can you explain that?

[1:18:52] Yeah, the Grand Parkway system was contemplated

[1:18:54] as a toll road.

[1:18:56] There's a market waiver evaluation agreement

[1:18:58] that was signed by all the counties

[1:18:59] that contemplated a toll policy for the job.

[1:19:02] It's always been agreed to

[1:19:04] that this would be a toll system, toll system.

[1:19:07] Yes, sir?

[1:19:08] Okay.

[1:19:10] second thing design build so we do nearly all of our work in design bid

[1:19:17] build right okay so this one is design build so tell us why we would do that

[1:19:23] and what the differences are yeah for this so generally we do one to two

[1:19:27] projects a year on the design build side design build affords a design build

[1:19:34] contractor ability to bring some innovation we're able to they're

[1:19:37] able to construct while also designing. The method allows, we've seen as much as three

[1:19:44] years in accelerated delivery of projects. In this case, this model also allows for a

[1:19:53] lump sum contract, which is great for the financing side of the job. And there is some

[1:20:01] risk transfer associated with a design bill contract because of that nature of them contracting

[1:20:05] with the design firm and working directly with the designer.

[1:20:11] So there's something to do with pacing that sets it up

[1:20:16] where we're only going to do certain number of these design build jobs, right, at one time.

[1:20:22] So you want to talk about that just a little bit.

[1:20:25] You know, we're not going to do three at a time

[1:20:27] because there aren't very many people that can do these, right?

[1:20:30] Yes, sure.

[1:20:31] So I'll take a shot and Brian can jump in if, but yes sir.

[1:20:36] So by statute we have the ability to do six for biennium.

[1:20:41] Generally these jobs are larger in dollar amount because of the complexity that we're looking for

[1:20:50] to maximize the benefit of the delivery model.

[1:20:55] So really we're looking for those jobs that have those opportunities for innovation

[1:20:57] and that complexity in them that tend to be the larger jobs.

[1:21:02] I was going to say, Ryan, you might also mention the evaluation

[1:21:05] tool that we use that I think University of Texas worked with us on.

[1:21:10] Yeah, so we have developed a tool over the years that

[1:21:13] evaluates the method to deliver a project.

[1:21:17] It looks at a lot of factors about the project,

[1:21:21] amount of right-of-way to acquire, amount of utilities to relocate,

[1:21:25] the type of designs, is there opportunity for innovation in the project?

[1:21:32] And so that we run that tool on every project before we do a procurement and this one weighed heavily towards design build.

[1:21:43] Final thing for the two of you is there's also some reimbursement.

[1:21:47] You talked about some innovation and things like that, but also the fact that these are big investments by the people that are trying to win the contract.

[1:21:56] So, just a little explanation of that and I think that it will inform the public and some of the commission about this process.

[1:22:04] Yeah, so these procurements that go after these big projects in a design bill procurement cost the industry a lot of money to go after them.

[1:22:15] You all approved when we shortlisted these three firms, you also approved a payment of a stipend to the unsuccessful bidders.

[1:22:25] and really that's we've got to evaluate their work that they provided in their

[1:22:29] proposal to make sure we're getting value for that work but once we do that

[1:22:35] we can pay them the stipend which kind of offsets their their expenses for

[1:22:41] forbidding it's it's not as much as it they're spending but it does does help

[1:22:46] them offset those expenses and you need bids we need bids we need

[1:22:51] competition, which is another reason why we stagger them, because it would be really difficult

[1:22:59] for some of these proposers to go after two of these projects at the same time.

[1:23:03] Yes.

[1:23:04] So with that, back to the pacing to make sure we get good bids and good participation.

[1:23:08] That's right.

[1:23:10] Okay.

[1:23:11] One last thing.

[1:23:13] What would you like to ask yourself and then answer that I'm not smart enough to

[1:23:17] to ask to let you inform the public or the commission about these processes.

[1:23:27] Is this the right way to deliver this project?

[1:23:31] Yes, it is.

[1:23:36] Outstanding, you're much better at this.

[1:23:38] Okay, have a seat.

[1:23:47] So, with no questions, is there any further input from commissioners?

[1:23:54] Okay, sir. I'm moved to approve. Outstanding. I need a motion to approve the

[1:23:59] selected proposer in accordance with staff's recommendation and I have it

[1:24:02] from Commissioner Alvis. Good job. And another Commissioner Mead seconds. Call

[1:24:07] for the vote. All those in favor please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, thank you.

[1:24:13] The motion carries unanimously. The Director Williams. Thank you Chair Newn.

[1:24:17] and commissioners. Now we're going to move to item 9A1, and this is a

[1:24:23] promulgation of proposed rules for Chapter 7 rail facilities regarding the

[1:24:29] short-line railroad improvement state fund program. Our rail division director

[1:24:33] Donald Franks is here, and he's going to present this item. Good morning,

[1:24:37] Acting Chair, new commissioners, and Executive Director Williams. Today I'm

[1:24:42] here requesting commission approval of the short-line railroad improvement

[1:24:45] state fund program as authorized by Senate Bill 2366. While the program is

[1:24:51] currently unfunded, approval will establish the framework needed to

[1:24:55] support future investment in short line rail infrastructure across Texas.

[1:24:59] Program will enhance freight mobility, promote economic development, and improve

[1:25:03] rail safety while reinforcing the role of short line railroads within the

[1:25:07] state's multimodal transportation system. Authorization of the program at

[1:25:11] this time positions the commission to efficiently deploy funding when it

[1:25:16] becomes available. Staff recommends approval. I'm happy to answer any

[1:25:19] questions.

[1:25:22] Commissioners, are there any remarks or questions for Director Franks?

[1:25:26] Okay, seeing none, I do have two yellow cards on this agenda item. First,

[1:25:32] I'd like to invite to the podium Peter Lakoti.

[1:25:44] Good morning, Acting

[1:25:45] Chair, Commissioners and Executive Director Peter Lakoti, I'm president of

[1:25:49] Texas Rail Advocates. We are a non-profit based in Dallas that supports both freight

[1:25:54] and passenger rail projects in Texas. We appreciate our state legislators having the

[1:25:59] foresight to create the Short Line Railroad Improvement State Fund program, and we want

[1:26:04] to thank all of you and Texas staff for your work creating the framework that will

[1:26:09] spur further economic development through strengthening short line railroads.

[1:26:13] The way the initial law was crafted last year, it applies to the few rural rail districts, the active ones in Texas.

[1:26:21] And some of them are in very dire need of infrastructure improvements, such as Netex, the Northeast Texas rural rail district.

[1:26:29] You may remember back in 2024, then-state representative Jill Hutton appeared before you and demonstrated how century-old nails, not rail spikes, were holding this railroad together.

[1:26:42] Trains on the line now run at under 10 miles an hour due to existing track

[1:26:46] conditions and from Greenville through Sulphur Springs to Mount Pleasant with

[1:26:50] some tender loving care and probably some appropriate matching funding. This

[1:26:56] rail line can be an economic generator and attract new business to the region.

[1:27:00] We hope that you will add an exceptional item in the upcoming legislative

[1:27:04] appropriation request for funding projects under this grant program and

[1:27:08] to broaden the scope of the existing law. We're going to have conversations with

[1:27:14] the folks across the street to add additional language so that the some

[1:27:19] 50 short-line mom-and-pop railroads throughout Texas that are other than

[1:27:24] rural rail districts can work with local and regional governmental entities

[1:27:28] that would be recipients of matching rail grants. Now most of the

[1:27:33] short-line railroads in Texas operate in rural communities that can use an

[1:27:36] economic boost. And by working hand in hand with local and regional government

[1:27:41] agencies to improve railroad infrastructure, they will be adding jobs

[1:27:45] and bringing industrial development to disadvantaged areas. So again, thank you

[1:27:50] for your efforts. And we look forward to seeing the future benefits that are

[1:27:54] derived from this new rail fund.

[1:27:58] Thank you, Mr. Lakoti.

[1:28:02] At this time, I

[1:28:03] would like to invite Joey Evans to the podium.

[1:28:10] Good morning, Chairman,

[1:28:11] Commissioners and Executive Director Williams. My name is Joey Evans. I'm here

[1:28:15] representing the Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, where I

[1:28:19] serve as the President. We represent the 50 short lines across the state of Texas.

[1:28:24] I'm here in strong support of the proposed rules implementing the

[1:28:27] short line railroad improvement state fund program. This program is not just

[1:28:32] helpful, it's necessary. Short line railroads are the first and last mile

[1:28:36] of the freight network in Texas.

[1:28:38] Many of these lines have seen underinvestment

[1:28:41] particular in rural areas over the last few decades.

[1:28:45] Without targeted funding tools like this,

[1:28:47] we risk loss of rail service,

[1:28:49] increased traffic on rural highways,

[1:28:52] and lost economic development opportunities.

[1:28:55] The program is focused and disciplined.

[1:28:57] It targets track, bridges, and capacity improvements,

[1:29:00] requires projects to be stand-alone and constructable,

[1:29:03] and it ensures local commitment and accountability.

[1:29:07] It aligns with our statewide priorities.

[1:29:09] It improves public safety, reduces highway congestion,

[1:29:13] and drives economic development in rural Texas.

[1:29:16] When short lines are upgraded,

[1:29:18] we can handle 286,000-pound railcars,

[1:29:21] we retain and attract industry and rural communities,

[1:29:24] and we remove thousands of truckloads

[1:29:26] from Texas highways.

[1:29:28] Conversely, without investment,

[1:29:30] lines fall below viable standards, customers leave,

[1:29:35] and we do run the risk of abandonment.

[1:29:39] This program is a smart, targeted investment in Texas infrastructure.

[1:29:43] It strengthens our supply chains, supports rural economies,

[1:29:46] and protects our highway systems. In closing, I would say that this is one

[1:29:50] of the most practical and impactful rail funding tools Texas has put

[1:29:54] forward, and it will deliver real results where it is needed the most.

[1:29:59] Thank you.

[1:29:59] I appreciate it.

[1:29:59] Bye now.

[1:29:59] Have a great day.

[1:30:00] I appreciate the commission's time and leadership and strongly support the adoption of these rules.

[1:30:04] Thank you.

[1:30:07] Thank you, sir.

[1:30:10] Commissioners, are there any remarks or questions for Director Franks?

[1:30:14] Okay. Seeing none, and having made our way through our attendees and their questions and remarks,

[1:30:22] may I have a motion to approve the proposed amendments to Chapter 7 rules in accordance with staff's recommendation?

[1:30:27] I have Commissioner Vaughn making the motion.

[1:30:31] I have Commissioner Mead making the second.

[1:30:33] Call for the vote.

[1:30:34] All those in favor, please say aye.

[1:30:36] Any opposed?

[1:30:38] Okay.

[1:30:38] Motion passes unanimously.

[1:30:40] Director Williams.

[1:30:42] Thank you.

[1:30:43] We're going to move on to item 9A2.

[1:30:45] And this is the consideration of the proposed amendments

[1:30:47] to Chapter 30 rules regarding the Aviation Facilities

[1:30:51] Development Financial Assistance Rules.

[1:30:54] Aviation Division Director Dan Harmon is not here to present this item, and we will go to real quickly.

[1:31:09] Michael Van Hly.

[1:31:11] Thank you. Good morning again. The Aviation Division has two proposed rule changes.

[1:31:16] Number one, it amends to an amendment to Texas Administrative Code Chapter 30 concerning aviation facilities, development,

[1:31:24] and financial assistance to implement the provisions of House Bill 4520 from the 89th Legislature.

[1:31:32] House Bill 4520 amended transportation code section 21.105 to reduce the local match requirement

[1:31:41] for grants or loans at airports located in economically disadvantaged counties from 10% to 5%.

[1:31:48] The bill also repealed section 21.114 aligning state law with the Federal Aviation Administration

[1:31:55] State Block Grant Program, which no longer treats reliever airports separately from other

[1:32:00] general aviation airports.

[1:32:02] Staff recommends approval, and I'm happy to answer any questions with this proposed

[1:32:06] rule change.

[1:32:07] Okay.

[1:32:08] Commissioners, are there any remarks or questions for?

[1:32:12] I know, but for Director Van Vleet?

[1:32:15] Section Director Van Vleet.

[1:32:16] Section Director Van Vleet.

[1:32:17] I knew the name. I didn't know the title. No questions. Outstanding. May I have a motion

[1:32:27] to approve the proposed amendments to Chapter 30 rules in accordance with staff's recommendation?

[1:32:34] Commissioner Mead made a motion. Commissioner Gordon made the second. All for the call

[1:32:40] for the vote. All those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Okay. Motion passes

[1:32:46] This is unanimously Director Williams.

[1:32:48] We get to do this again.

[1:32:50] So Propagation Item 9A3 is a propagation of rules,

[1:32:53] proposed rules for Chapter 30 aviation

[1:32:55] and Section Director Van Vleet.

[1:32:57] Please continue.

[1:32:59] This involves a consideration of amendments

[1:33:01] to Chapter 30 rules regarding meteorological evaluation

[1:33:06] towers.

[1:33:07] Excellent.

[1:33:08] Thank you.

[1:33:09] This minute order proposes amendments

[1:33:11] to the Texas Administrative Code Chapter 30

[1:33:13] concerning meteorological evaluation towers meant to implement the provisions of House

[1:33:21] Bill 2898 from the 89th legislature.

[1:33:25] The amendments to section 30.502 update the definition of a meteorological evaluation

[1:33:30] tower by increasing the base diameter threshold from 6 feet to 12 feet and add a new definition

[1:33:36] for military aviation training facility consistent with statute.

[1:33:40] The amendments to section 30.503 update notification requirements, no later than 30 days after receiving

[1:33:48] notice of intent to erect a MET tower.

[1:33:50] The department will notify nearby federally operated radar installations, military aviation

[1:33:56] training facilities, and applicable county judges based on the defined proximity to

[1:34:01] the proposed tower.

[1:34:02] These changes will align with the administrative code with statute.

[1:34:07] you. The staff recommends approval and I'm happy to answer any additional questions.

[1:34:13] Commissioners, are there any remarks or questions for Section Director Van Blee? Okay, seeing

[1:34:19] none. May I have a motion to approve the proposed amendments to Chapter 30 rules in

[1:34:24] accordance with staff's recommendation? Okay. Commissioner Alvis has moved approval.

[1:34:31] Second. Commissioner Gordon has moved second. Call for the vote. All those in favor please

[1:34:35] Do you say aye?

[1:34:36] Aye.

[1:34:37] Okay.

[1:34:37] Any opposed?

[1:34:39] Okay.

[1:34:39] Motion carries.

[1:34:40] I have to take it back.

[1:34:41] You took a lot longer than Director Harmon.

[1:34:45] Thank you.

[1:34:47] Moving on now is Item 9B1, and this is the consideration of the final adoption of amendments

[1:34:54] to Chapter 9 rules regarding contracts for highway projects.

[1:34:58] Construction Division Director Dwayne Milligan is back to present this item.

[1:35:02] This

[1:35:05] is final adoption of amendments to Texas Administrative Code Chapter 9 rules governing

[1:35:09] contracts for highway projects.

[1:35:11] Amendments to rule 9.12 qualification of bidders extend the pre-qualification grace period

[1:35:17] to four months for all qualification levels, including qualification under the confidential

[1:35:21] questionnaire, providing additional flexibility for bidders.

[1:35:25] Amendments to rule 9.15, acceptance of bids, allow TechStart to consider a bid non-responsive

[1:35:31] If the department discovers a discrepancy with a bitter certification prior to contract award avoiding unnecessary rejection of all bids and the corresponding delays to project delivery.

[1:35:41] Amendments to 9.17 award a contract.

[1:35:45] Authorize text.to delay its notification of contract award when critical conditions such as railroad agreements, third party financial clearances, or other requirements must be resolved before the contract can be executed.

[1:35:59] Other minor revision standardized terminology throughout the rules and clarify existing business practices.

[1:36:05] These amendments were first proposed at the January 29th, 2026 Commission meeting.

[1:36:10] The rules were published in the February 13th, 2026 edition of the Texas Register and the department received one comment.

[1:36:17] Staff has reviewed and responded to the comment as noted in the adoption preamble.

[1:36:22] Staff recommends approval of this minute order and I'd be happy to answer any questions the Commission may have at this time.

[1:36:28] Yeah.

[1:36:29] Commissioners, are there any remarks or questions

[1:36:31] for Director Milligan?

[1:36:33] Seeing none, may I have a motion to approve

[1:36:36] the final adoption of amendments to Chapter 9

[1:36:39] rules in accordance with staff's recommendation?

[1:36:45] Commissioner Gordon has moved approval.

[1:36:47] Commissioner Mead has seconded the motion.

[1:36:50] Call for the vote.

[1:36:51] All those in favor, please say aye.

[1:36:53] Aye.

[1:36:54] Any opposed?

[1:36:55] Motion carries unanimously.

[1:36:57] Thank you, sir.

[1:36:59] Moving on to 9B2.

[1:37:01] And this is the consideration of the final adoption of amendments to Chapter 28 rules

[1:37:05] repealing the requirements for surety bonds to be approved by the Comptroller of Public

[1:37:10] Accounts and the Attorney General's Office.

[1:37:12] Maintenance Division Director James Stevenson is back and he will present this item.

[1:37:17] Good morning.

[1:37:18] This item is for proposed amendments to the Texas Administrative Code 28.11, which

[1:37:23] outlines the requirements for the execution of surety bonds for oversized and overweight

[1:37:26] vehicles, load crossing, textile right-of-way.

[1:37:29] The amendments are needed due to the passage of Senate Bill 995 in the 89th Legislature.

[1:37:34] The bill amended Section 623.051D of the Transportation Code by eliminating the requirement for Attorney

[1:37:41] General's Office and State Comptroller's Office to approve the shirty bond associated

[1:37:44] with a Text Dot Highway Crossing Agreement.

[1:37:47] Senate Bill 995 authorized Text Dot to approve the shirty bond.

[1:37:51] The amendments to 28.11 will remove the requirement that the State Treasurer and

[1:37:56] Attorney General approved the shirty bond associated with the Texot Highway Crossing Agreement.

[1:38:00] The amendment will include the requirement that Texot approve the shirty bond in accordance

[1:38:03] with the amended statutory language.

[1:38:06] Amendment to 28.12e is also required to remove the reference to the approval by the Attorney

[1:38:11] General and Comptroller in conformance with the statutory change.

[1:38:15] Senate Bill 995 went into effective media after it passed on June 20, 2025.

[1:38:20] Texot has updated the shirty bond form and will update the use of Right Away

[1:38:24] by others' manual to reflect the change.

[1:38:26] This change received no comments during the public comment period.

[1:38:30] Staff recommends approval, and I stand by it

[1:38:32] to answer any questions the commission may have this time.

[1:38:37] Commissioners, are there any remarks or questions

[1:38:38] for Director Stevenson?

[1:38:41] Okay. Seeing none, may I have a motion to approve the final adoption

[1:38:45] of amendments to Chapter 28 rules in accordance

[1:38:48] with staff's recommendation?

[1:38:51] Commissioner Mead makes a motion.

[1:38:52] Commissioner Alvis seconds. I'll call for the vote. All those in favor please say aye.

[1:38:58] Any opposed? Okay. Motion carries unanimously. Director Williams.

[1:39:03] Thank you. We're moving on now to item 9C. This is a consideration of the

[1:39:08] readoption of chapters 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 21, and 22 rules.

[1:39:15] General Counsel Jeff Graham is here to present this item.

[1:39:19] Good morning.

[1:39:20] State law requires us to review all of our rules every four years.

[1:39:24] We do this on a rotating basis to continue with a decent cadence

[1:39:28] so that they all don't come up at the same time.

[1:39:30] This is a collection of rules that have been reviewed by the various divisions.

[1:39:35] We recommend them for readoption.

[1:39:38] And I stand here for any questions.

[1:39:44] That was very efficient with all of those numbers.

[1:39:48] Commissioners, are there any remarks or questions for General Counsel Graham?

[1:39:53] Seeing none, may I have a motion to approve the re-adoption of chapters 10, 11, 12, 13,

[1:40:01] 15, 16, 21, and 22 rules in accordance with staff's recommendation.

[1:40:08] Commissioner Vaughn has moved approval.

[1:40:10] Commissioner Mead has seconded and called for the vote.

[1:40:13] all those in favor please say aye. Any opposed? Okay, motion carries unanimously.

[1:40:20] Director Williams, thank you. You saw how Director Graham did, you know, put all the

[1:40:25] work on us to read those chapter rules and he just came up and said any

[1:40:29] questions. Moving on. Item 10 is a contested case and this is a consideration

[1:40:35] of a contested case action involving AZA Construction Inc. and the Texas

[1:40:41] Department of Transportation, Associate General Counsel Deon Marner is here and she will present

[1:40:46] this item. Good morning commissioners. Item 10 on the agenda is an administrative enforcement case

[1:40:52] initiated by department staff under the commission's rules concerning ethical conduct by entities

[1:40:58] doing business with the department. The case concerns the sanction of AZA construction

[1:41:03] for ethical violations, suspending AZA from bidding on or entering into or working

[1:41:10] on contracts with the department. AZA's ethical violation was the failure to disclose the

[1:41:16] text dot, its failure to maintain insurance during the duration of their contracts through

[1:41:22] final acceptance. Based on the ethical violation, AZA was noticed that it was debarred and immediately

[1:41:28] suspended from bidding on entering into or working on contracts with the department

[1:41:33] for 12 months. However, during that time, AZA was allowed to participate in subcontracting

[1:41:39] work with the department. AZA appealed the sanction and an informal hearing before the

[1:41:45] executive director was held. A final determination on appeal was issued on June 13, 2025, upholding

[1:41:53] the 12-month debarment. AZA contested the sanction and the case was submitted to the state

[1:41:59] office of administrative hearings for a contested case hearing. The contested case was held

[1:42:05] by an Administrative Law Judge within the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

[1:42:09] The Administrative Law Judge issued a proposal for decision on January 20, 2026 that upheld

[1:42:16] the sanction of a 12-month debarment and immediate suspension.

[1:42:20] The General Counsel Division recommends the commission approve the recommended 12-month

[1:42:25] debarment of AZA and to direct the Executive Director to issue a final order imposing

[1:42:31] the sanction.

[1:42:32] I am available for any questions you may have.

[1:42:37] Commissioners, are there any remarks or questions for Associate General Counsel Barnard?

[1:42:43] Okay. Seeing none, may I have a motion to adopt the findings of fact and conclusions of law issued by the State Office of Administrative

[1:42:52] administrative hearings in its proposal for decision and direct the executive director

[1:42:57] to issue a final order imposing the sanction in accordance with staff's recommendation.

[1:43:04] Commissioner Alvis has moved approval.

[1:43:06] Commissioner Mead has seconded the motion.

[1:43:09] Call for the vote.

[1:43:09] All those in favor, please say aye.

[1:43:12] Any opposed?

[1:43:13] Okay.

[1:43:14] Motion carries unanimously.

[1:43:16] Thank you.

[1:43:17] Thank you.

[1:43:17] Commissioner, Director Williams, please.

[1:43:22] Going back, going now to item 11.

[1:43:25] This is a consideration of the approval of applications

[1:43:29] for state infrastructure bank loans

[1:43:31] from various applicants.

[1:43:32] State infrastructure bank program manager,

[1:43:34] Dallas Teston is here, and he will present this item.

[1:43:38] Thank you, Mark.

[1:43:39] Good morning, commissioners.

[1:43:40] I'll start with the overview

[1:43:41] of the state infrastructure bank,

[1:43:44] which shows we currently have about 191 million

[1:43:47] with which to make loans. If the commission approves the three application this month,

[1:43:51] the balance will drop to about 181 million. We have 70 outstanding loans with the remaining

[1:43:56] principal balance of about 323 million. And of the Sibs, 179 total loans there have been no

[1:44:03] defaults to date and all borrowers are current on their obligations. With that overview, I-11 is

[1:44:09] a consideration of three Sib loan requests totaling 9,241,000 from the city of El Paso,

[1:44:15] Phoenix Gas Pipeline Company and Cara Water Supply Corporation. This is the

[1:44:20] first cib loan for Phoenix Gas Pipeline Company, second cib loan for Cara

[1:44:23] Water Supply Corporation, and the sixth cib loan for the city of El Paso. Staff

[1:44:28] recommends approval and I'm happy to answer any questions.

[1:44:34] Commissioners, are there any remarks or questions for Manager Teston? Seeing

[1:44:39] none, I do have a one yellow card. Let me invite Edward Calvo to the podium

[1:44:47] please.

[1:44:53] Good morning. I can share new commissioners. Director Williams, my name is Eduardo Cano.

[1:45:00] Director of the El Paso MPO. First of all, let me start by congratulating you, Commissioner

[1:45:04] Gordon, for the appointment. You know, with you on board, we'll continue the great collaboration

[1:45:09] that we've had with the MPO and the tech staff and the commission and look forward to continue

[1:45:14] that working together. Specifically, I'm here to express support for this application. I've

[1:45:20] been here before saying how much we like the SIV. We love the SIV. But it also again

[1:45:26] to stress that it shows a commitment from our local partners here in advancing projects,

[1:45:32] especially when they have our precious category $7. We need to really spend those on a timely

[1:45:40] basis and make sure that we put them on good projects. So again, here to support the application

[1:45:47] and hope it gets approved.

[1:45:50] Thank you.

[1:45:52] Thank you, sir.

[1:45:56] Any further comments or questions?

[1:45:58] If not, I will ask for a motion to approve the application

[1:46:03] for a state infrastructure bank loan from various applicants

[1:46:06] in accordance with staff's recommendation.

[1:46:11] Okay.

[1:46:12] Commissioner Gordon has moved approval.

[1:46:15] Commissioner Vaughn is seconded.

[1:46:17] Call for the vote.

[1:46:18] All those in favor, please say aye.

[1:46:19] Aye.

[1:46:20] Any opposed?

[1:46:22] Motion carries unanimously.

[1:46:24] Thank you.

[1:46:25] Thank you, commissioners.

[1:46:27] That brings us to item 12, the imminent domain proceedings.

[1:46:29] Right away, division director Kyle Madsen is here and will present this item.

[1:46:33] This item authorizes the filing of condemnation proceedings to acquire 54 parcels through the domain.

[1:46:39] Text out will control access to seven of the parcels and it will not control access to 47 of the parcels.

[1:46:44] Staff recommends approval of the minute order.

[1:46:46] I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[1:46:50] Well, just one question now that the passing of the baton,

[1:46:54] do we have a formal ceremony for that?

[1:46:59] Hang on just a second.

[1:47:01] Will you just quickly say controlled access?

[1:47:06] What is that?

[1:47:07] So controlled access is where the department is controlling

[1:47:10] access off of our roadway to the abutting property owners.

[1:47:14] So in the areas where we are controlling access, the property owner would not be able to get a driveway on to the roadway from that area of their property.

[1:47:24] Okay, so that's why you always say controlled access and uncontrolled access. Thank you.

[1:47:30] And so, commissioners, are there any remarks or questions for Director Madsen? And there was. Is there a ceremony?

[1:47:38] No, we can make one up.

[1:47:39] Okay. There was when I got to do that, I got a nice gift and those things.

[1:47:52] Commissioner Gordon, do you have a motion to make?

[1:48:00] I move that the Texas Transportation Commission

[1:48:02] authorized the Texas Department of Transportation

[1:48:05] to use the power of eminent domain

[1:48:07] to acquire the properties described in the minute order

[1:48:10] set forth in the agenda for the current month for construction, reconstruction,

[1:48:16] maintenance, widening, straightening, or extending the highway facilities listed in

[1:48:20] the minute order as part of the state highway system and that the first record

[1:48:26] vote applies to all units of property to be condemned. Commissioner Gordon has

[1:48:33] moved to authorize condemnation. May I have a second? Commissioner Alvis

[1:48:37] the motion can't get away from it.

[1:48:40] Call for the vote, all those in favor?

[1:48:42] Aye.

[1:48:43] Okay.

[1:48:44] Any opposed?

[1:48:45] Motion carries unanimously.

[1:48:47] Thank you.

[1:48:49] Thank you, commissioners.

[1:48:50] We're moving on.

[1:48:51] Item 13 is the consideration of routine minute orders including donations to the department,

[1:48:55] real estate dispositions, reports, toll rates, and speed zones.

[1:48:58] Staff recommends approval of the minute orders that are included in these routine agenda items.

[1:49:03] Items pertaining to reports to the commission are included for informational purposes

[1:49:07] and do not involve or require specific action by the Commission.

[1:49:13] Thank you, Director Williams.

[1:49:15] Commissioners, are there any questions concerning the routine minute orders?

[1:49:19] Okay.

[1:49:21] Seeing none, may I have a motion to approve the routine minute orders in accordance with

[1:49:25] Director Williams' recommendation?

[1:49:27] Make a motion to approve it.

[1:49:28] Commissioner Mead's moved approval.

[1:49:33] Commissioner Vaughn has seconded the motion.

[1:49:36] I thought it was going to die.

[1:49:38] Okay.

[1:49:39] All those in favor please say aye.

[1:49:41] any opposed motion carries unanimously and director Williams my turn isn't it we

[1:49:53] will not meet in executive session today all items on today's agenda are

[1:49:57] completed is there anyone who signed up for open comment today indeed please

[1:50:14] be

[1:50:14] prepared and concise in your and your your remarks at this time I'd like to

[1:50:21] to invite Charles Lend to come to the podium.

[1:50:35] Hello, sir.

[1:50:36] Chairman Lend, Charles Lino, city manager for the city of Pekos.

[1:50:40] That's okay.

[1:50:41] It's my riding commissioner now, and I know how that is.

[1:50:45] Commissioners, thank you for giving me this time, acting director or director Williams.

[1:50:50] Thank you.

[1:50:51] I just came.

[1:50:52] It's been a long, hard roll that we've been attempting to get done.

[1:50:56] and we, there was a letter issued to our county judge on Monday and it looks like we're going

[1:51:04] to go through the public hearing for the RMA so I want to really say thank you for all of the

[1:51:08] sports you've had. We've been here a lot trying to advocate for it and you all have been great.

[1:51:16] I look forward to seeing this through to the end and I, it's just a thank you to y'all for

[1:51:23] even taking this under consideration.

[1:51:26] Thank you.

[1:51:32] I'm sorry.

[1:51:33] At this time may I ask Nierith Golonski to come to the podium.

[1:51:50] Good morning, Acting Chair, Commissioners, and Mr. Williams.

[1:51:53] On behalf of the City of Brownsville, thank you for your continued support of the Rio

[1:51:57] Grande Valley and our community.

[1:51:59] We appreciate the opportunity to speak before you this morning.

[1:52:03] My name is Nierith Golonski and I'm one of the City Commissioners at large for

[1:52:07] for Brownsville. I'm here to reiterate our strong support for the East Loop

[1:52:11] International Trade Corridor Project led by the Cameron County Regional

[1:52:15] Mobility Authority. We recognize that this project is progressing toward

[1:52:20] becoming an on-system facility and we believe this designation is essential.

[1:52:25] The East Loop will not only serve the city of Brownsville but it will also

[1:52:29] provide a critical connection that strengthens the transportation network

[1:52:32] work for the entire state of Texas.

[1:52:35] The project will link the Veterans International Bridge

[1:52:37] at Los Tomates to the Port of Brownsville,

[1:52:40] a port that is experiencing unprecedented growth.

[1:52:43] As recently announced, American First Refining

[1:52:47] plans to build a new $300 billion, 240-acre refinery

[1:52:52] at the Port of Brownsville, marking the first new U.S.

[1:52:55] Gulf Coast refinery in 50 years.

[1:52:58] Our region has seen significant economic expansion

[1:53:01] in recent years, thanks in great part to the State of Texas and the Texas Transportation Commission.

[1:53:07] As this momentum continues, we respectfully request that the East Loop International Trade Corridor

[1:53:12] remain a priority for the on-system designation to ensure that Texas maintains its position

[1:53:18] as a national and global economic leader. Thank you again for the opportunity to speak

[1:53:23] and for your ongoing commitment to our region. Nice to see you.

[1:53:26] At

[1:53:29] this time, I'd like to ask Christina, is it Cabral?

[1:53:34] Okay, Christina Cabral.

[1:53:39] Thank you so much.

[1:53:41] Good to talk.

[1:53:41] It's almost a good afternoon.

[1:53:43] Acting Chairman New, Commissioners Vaughn, Mead,

[1:53:47] Alvis, and Gordon.

[1:53:49] Director Williams and the Texas staff,

[1:53:52] thank you for having me here today.

[1:53:53] My name is Christina Cabral and I represent TAG Houston,

[1:53:57] which stands for the Transportation Advocacy Group.

[1:53:59] For those who do not know who we are,

[1:54:01] We are a coalition of public and private organizations that represent in the eight county area,

[1:54:06] which is the Gulf Coast region, and I'm honored to be representing my membership,

[1:54:11] as well as have several of our board members here today.

[1:54:14] First, we have three thank yous to give.

[1:54:16] First, to Commissioner Mead, who recently came and spoke to our membership with Director Franks

[1:54:21] and educated on the importance of real safety and all that TextDOT is doing to help improve that.

[1:54:27] Second, to Commissioner Alvis, we're excited to have you join us this fall

[1:54:30] to give an annual address to our entire membership on the importance of TextDOT

[1:54:35] and all that you do for our region and for our state.

[1:54:39] And third, welcome, Commissioner Gordon.

[1:54:41] We had the pleasure of meeting you very quickly this morning.

[1:54:43] We know you've got a lot very busy right now,

[1:54:45] but we're honored that you took the time to talk with us.

[1:54:48] We look forward to working with you, the Commission, all of TextDOT,

[1:54:52] and particularly our Houston region who we think does a great job.

[1:54:56] We also want to thank you today for taking action

[1:54:58] on the Grant Parkway Segment Project which, as you mentioned,

[1:55:02] funds Galveston, Missouri counties, and Alvin.

[1:55:05] I've been to Alvin quite a bit.

[1:55:07] The funding of this project is just one more positive investment

[1:55:11] to help support the explosive growth and development

[1:55:14] in the Gulf Coast region which we saw today

[1:55:16] with the population's presentation.

[1:55:18] It will bring much needed investment in safety,

[1:55:21] efficiency, and connectivity to our transportation network.

[1:55:24] TAG would also like to continue seeking support

[1:55:27] for our expansive Port Networks Port being plural, but particularly I'd like to

[1:55:31] highlight today for the Port of Houston support for the investments in 225 and

[1:55:36] 146 which will allow us to continue our regional growth into sustaining

[1:55:41] in sustaining the 10.6 billion in state and local tax revenue and 62.8

[1:55:48] billion in national tax revenue that the Port provides. Tagging the Network

[1:55:53] of Locos Regional Mobility Organizations and TEAOT, the statewide group of mobility

[1:55:59] organizations, will continue to work together to educate and inform the importance of investment

[1:56:04] and transportation network and continue the success of our region and our great state.

[1:56:08] Thank you so much for your partnership.

[1:56:11] Thank you for talking with us.

[1:56:15] The next person I'd like to invite is Chad Burke to the podium, please.

[1:56:30] Chairman and commissioners.

[1:56:31] My name is Chad Burke.

[1:56:33] I represent the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region as their President and CEO.

[1:56:39] Want to bring a little bit, I'll build on what Christina said.

[1:56:43] The Houston Port Region, specifically the upper reach, the 25 miles of the Houston Port

[1:56:47] Region accounts for over $900 billion in economic activity.

[1:56:52] It is the nation's number one port when you measure it in any form of tonnage.

[1:56:57] It's the nation's number one energy port by far, and most importantly, that 25-mile stretch

[1:57:04] of the Houston Ship Channel accounts for 20 percent of the state's GDP.

[1:57:09] Over the last 15 years, there's been well over $100 billion in new capital investment

[1:57:14] in the petrochemical and refining industries there along the Ship Channel.

[1:57:19] The Shell Revolution, which we in Texas are blessed to benefit from, has made the

[1:57:24] Houston Ship Channel, Houston Port Region, the largest petrochemical complex in the world.

[1:57:29] We surpassed Rotterdam in production about 2019. That complex includes over 250 plants

[1:57:35] and terminals and two port of Houston container terminals, which account for 95 percent of

[1:57:45] the containers that come in and out of the state of Texas. So just a little bit on

[1:57:48] the stats. The State Highway 225 is the corridor that traverses that region. Its current state

[1:57:56] was built in the 70s and early 80s and hasn't been updated since then while we've seen this

[1:58:01] explosive growth that is happening. It is woefully undersized right now for the number

[1:58:09] of trucks that we see on it every day, not to mention the commuters that live and

[1:58:12] work in that region and supply the workforce to those facilities. If we don't expand

[1:58:16] And in Update Highway 225, we really, we, the state of Texas, put at risk hundreds of

[1:58:22] billions of dollars in future economic impact.

[1:58:25] Finally, I will point out, and I hope you're paying attention here in Texas, the current

[1:58:30] global affairs in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz are really putting Texas in an advantage

[1:58:37] spot again as far as the manufacturing of chemicals.

[1:58:40] We are the only ones in the world that produce our chemicals off of natural gas

[1:58:44] instead of NAFTA, which they do in Asia and Europe, and now the entire world is looking

[1:58:48] at us again.

[1:58:49] So production, even over the last two months, has already begun to ramp up in the Houston

[1:58:54] Port region.

[1:58:55] Thank you for your consideration for what I believe, and I think most agree is the

[1:59:00] state's most economically impactful roadway.

[1:59:03] And I encourage us to spend money where we make money as a state.

[1:59:06] Thank you very much.

[1:59:07] Appreciate it.

[1:59:08] Thank you, sir.

[1:59:10] At this time, I'd like to invite John Scott to the podium.

[1:59:14] Well,

[1:59:19] good morning. Thank you for your time today. I'm John Scott. I'm here

[1:59:22] representing Blue Energy, a power project developer. I'm the principal project

[1:59:27] manager for Blue Energy, a power project that we're targeting for the Port of

[1:59:33] Victoria in Texas. I'm here with Sean Stibbitt. She's the executive director of

[1:59:37] the Port of Victoria.

[1:59:40] We've come to comment on the Highway 35 Bridge that

[1:59:43] goes over the Victoria barge canal. This proposed modification could have a very

[1:59:50] significant positive impact on our ongoing development at the Port of

[1:59:54] Victoria and for future developments for our project. So the total cost of the

[1:59:59] highway

[2:00:00] 35 modification, I believe it's 45 million to raise the canal clearance and to widen it

[2:00:05] significantly. This bridge update would support our plan to modularize to the

[2:00:11] extent possible to significantly increase the economics of development for both our

[2:00:16] shorter-term gas project and then for our longer-term nuclear development, which

[2:00:20] would be going over the next decade down there for the power.

[2:00:25] Our project to

[2:00:26] Shovel ready, engineering design is complete.

[2:00:29] We have acquired the right of ways.

[2:00:31] Major gas and nuclear plant equipment

[2:00:33] has already been purchased and has agreements right now

[2:00:35] for delivery project financing is in place

[2:00:38] and committed to the initial two phases of this project.

[2:00:41] Project will bring well over 1,000 construction jobs

[2:00:45] to the region, scattered over the course of 10 years,

[2:00:48] but plus, even for the first two phases,

[2:00:49] 100 local jobs that will be over 135K a year

[2:00:54] and we're coordinating with the Victoria College

[2:00:57] and the Texas A&M for a supply stream of people

[2:01:01] and for us to help them decide their curriculum

[2:01:04] and what that flow through could be.

[2:01:06] So it's really a good synergy there.

[2:01:08] Project investment for the first two phases

[2:01:11] which includes a gas phase for gas power

[2:01:15] to get quicker to market

[2:01:16] and the first five SMR small nuclear reactors

[2:01:19] for the developments. It's $2.4 billion for the first phase and then it'll be a total

[2:01:26] of $10 billion over the course of the entire development project. The first phase is going

[2:01:31] to give us 1.3 gigawatts. The total build-out will end up with 2.5 gigawatts of power.

[2:01:36] So anyway, we kind of request this bridge be included in the state's UTP plan and

[2:01:43] just for the advance of the economic development and the transportation development in the

[2:01:47] area. I appreciate your time this morning. Thank you. Thank you, sir, for your

[2:01:52] remarks. At this time, I'd like to invite Eduardo Calvo back to the podium,

[2:01:58] please.

[2:02:06] Good afternoon now. Acting Chair, new commissioners, Director Williams.

[2:02:11] Again, my name for the record is Eduardo Calvo, Executive Director of the

[2:02:14] Opaso MPO, and thank you for the opportunity to address the commission.

[2:02:19] So a couple of items that I wanted to brief you on regarding the Opaso

[2:02:24] First, as we continue the development of the UTP, the fiscal year 27 UTP, wanted to call

[2:02:32] out a really important project for us that has been identified as our top priority for

[2:02:37] this round, which is we're calling it Phase 2 of the US-62-180 Montana Avenue project.

[2:02:44] It's Phase 2.

[2:02:45] The whole project is about $350 million, plus or minus.

[2:02:49] The first two phases have been funded with our formula money, so in our local funds,

[2:02:57] but we need help really to get phase two done, and that would complete the entire project.

[2:03:04] This is a quarter that serves Fort Bliss.

[2:03:08] In addition to that, it also connects to the fastest growing part in El Paso County,

[2:03:13] so it's for congestion and for connectivity and for other strategic purposes.

[2:03:17] if it's a really good project.

[2:03:21] So it's been identified as a priority

[2:03:23] by the policy board of the MPO,

[2:03:25] but also by El Paso commissioners court,

[2:03:27] the county commissioners court.

[2:03:29] So there's pretty good documentation of that.

[2:03:33] Important to say that phase two was funded at some point,

[2:03:37] but because there were delays

[2:03:38] in the construction of phase one strategically,

[2:03:42] we work with the district,

[2:03:44] with the Thomas District Engineer and the TPMD, Raul Ortega, to be strategic and move the money around.

[2:03:50] You know, we didn't want to have that money sitting, so we were able to move it and get the Borderland Expressway.

[2:03:57] And by the way, Peter, we got funding for that, for phase three of that project last year, so we, again, thank you for that.

[2:04:04] But now it's time to put the money, the funds back into Montana phase two.

[2:04:09] So that's why we're asking and identifying that as our priority.

[2:04:15] The second thing I wanted to talk very briefly is the, as you know,

[2:04:20] we're conducting our International Border Crossing Strategic Plan,

[2:04:24] which is looking at all the six border crossings in our region as a system,

[2:04:28] but this work is overlapping with tech stats, border transportation master plans.

[2:04:33] So there's overlap, but we want to see this as an opportunity really to combine efforts

[2:04:38] and to make sure that there's a lot of good coordination and data, gathering data analysis,

[2:04:44] but more importantly with the stakeholder and the public engagement activities.

[2:04:48] There's a lot of meetings and we don't want to overwhelm our stakeholders

[2:04:53] with multiple meetings that could be repetitive.

[2:04:57] So we conducted a meeting back in February with the tech staff folks,

[2:05:01] with the Board of Master Plan folks and our folks, and I think it was a success.

[2:05:06] So we really look forward to continue working together and continuing the partnership in this and other endeavors.

[2:05:13] Thank you.

[2:05:14] Thank you, sir, for your comments.

[2:05:17] At this time, I would like to ask Barb LaFollette to come to the podium.

[2:05:38] Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

[2:05:40] Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

[2:05:43] My name is Barb LaFollette.

[2:05:44] I'm the president of the Barton Hills Neighborhood Association.

[2:05:48] I am here to ask that you insist on a full public environmental impact statement for the proposed MOPAC South expansion.

[2:05:58] CTRMA is moving ahead based on a brief internal environmental summary and a proposed finding of no significant impact

[2:06:07] rather than a transparent EIS process with full public review.

[2:06:13] Yet this project would add new lanes through some of Austin's most environmentally sensitive

[2:06:18] areas and directly affect nearby neighborhoods.

[2:06:22] And we're not talking about a small amount, we're talking about 11 acres of concrete.

[2:06:28] We deserve more than a short memo and a foregone conclusion.

[2:06:33] We deserve scrutiny.

[2:06:36] We only get one environment.

[2:06:39] There is no redo.

[2:06:40] The

[2:06:44] proposal is not substantially different from the MOPAC South Plan that faced major

[2:06:49] community opposition and legal challenges from 2014 to 2016 when the environmental concerns

[2:06:57] were serious enough to help stop the project.

[2:07:00] It would be irresponsible to repeat the same approach and expect a better outcome for

[2:07:04] our residents, our water, and our green spaces.

[2:07:08] I'm not asking you to take a position for or against the expansion today.

[2:07:13] I'm asking you to require a full public environmental impact statement before any decision is made.

[2:07:20] That's all.

[2:07:23] Please use your authority to demand real transparency and a robust evaluation of environmental and

[2:07:30] neighborhood impacts.

[2:07:31] Thank you very much for your time and consideration of this matter.

[2:07:35] And thank you very much for your service.

[2:07:37] Thank you for your remarks.

[2:07:40] Thank you.

[2:07:42] At this time, I'd like to invite Tom Clemens to the podium, please.

[2:07:53] Good afternoon.

[2:07:55] I'm Tom Clemens, a representative of a company named Lithtech, a material provider.

[2:08:02] I speak to Texas DOT and all the DOTs in the United States and the cities and counties

[2:08:08] in this regard.

[2:08:09] I'd like to talk to you about a process, a process that's used to rebuild failed roads.

[2:08:18] The process is called full depth reclamation, or FDR, fairly catchy acronym, FDR.

[2:08:27] When testing shows FDR to be the right tool for the job, it creates a longer lasting

[2:08:33] road at lower cost than traditional rebuilding with a much faster construction

[2:08:41] process. It's based on 100% recycling of the failed road in place. Therefore the

[2:08:47] past investment in the road in terms of the existing materials is restored to

[2:08:53] create a new and much more resilient road base that results in greater

[2:08:59] longevity and lower maintenance cost over time. The construction process of

[2:09:06] recycling removes thousands of trucks, congesting being a big priority of

[2:09:13] textile. Those trucks that would normally bring to and carry away materials

[2:09:19] to rebuild that road, thus creating a much safer project with less congestion

[2:09:24] and fewer work zones.

[2:09:29] I've heard Mark Williams say many times,

[2:09:32] good stewardship is good business.

[2:09:36] It's amazing how often I hear past names of tech stock

[2:09:41] employees come up who have helped me very much

[2:09:44] and understand this process and the significance.

[2:09:47] Bill Hale, Lance Simmons, in terms of safety,

[2:09:51] Lance pointed out to me, if you

[2:09:54] longer lasting road than you reduce work zones dramatically. Work zones

[2:10:02] contribute anywhere from 5 to 10 percent to our fatalities.

[2:10:11] I also want to point

[2:10:12] out the maintenance division has two teams who are doing full depth

[2:10:16] reclamation as a capability working with districts.

[2:10:22] I don't want to be

[2:10:23] overly dramatic but as Mark detailed in January we have a budget reduction

[2:10:30] coming that could be as much as one and a half to two billion dollars, yet we have

[2:10:35] a bigger job to do than ever before. How do you do more with less? Efficiency

[2:10:42] and innovation. I've literally waited probably two years to make these

[2:10:48] comments. Commissioner Alvis pointed out last week the permitting productivity

[2:10:54] with gain. Commissioner New pointed out the fatality rates that have gone down.

[2:10:59] and then area near and dear to me the design side division director pipe

[2:11:04] talked about the evolution of 3d modeling in closing what I want to

[2:11:13] encourage is you to encourage the district engineers to look at pilot

[2:11:18] projects for full depth reclamation they make these decisions they're they're

[2:11:24] accountable responsible and I think that's where you could help the most

[2:11:30] Our largest user in the United States is Union Pacific Railroad.

[2:11:35] We heard railroads talk about a lot.

[2:11:37] All related to a business decision and greater productivity to stretch their budget dollars the furthest.

[2:11:44] Thank you very much.

[2:11:45] Thank you. Thank you for your remarks.

[2:11:56] Thank you for those of you that came to make public remarks.

[2:12:01] And at this time, is there any other business to come before the commission?

[2:12:05] Okay, there being none, is there a motion to adjourn?

[2:12:09] Like motion to adjourn.

[2:12:10] Commissioner Mead has moved to adjourn.

[2:12:12] May I have a second?

[2:12:13] Second.

[2:12:14] Second.

[2:12:15] Commissioner Vaughn has seconded.

[2:12:16] All in favor please say aye.

[2:12:18] Aye.

[2:12:18] Any opposed?

[2:12:20] The motion carries and we are adjourned.

[2:12:24] And please note for the record that it is 10, 12, 13.

[2:12:29] 12, 13.

[2:12:30] 12, 13.

Apr 30, 2026 Texas Transportation Commission Meetings - Texas Department of Transportation

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