The Collin County Observer

On Monday, The Texas Department of Transportation provided the Texas House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding information on its efforts to implement its portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), commonly known as the Economic Stimulus Package.

Collin County looks to get shortchanged once again by our good friends at TxDOT.

Out of a 20 page list of projects totaling over $2 billion, Collin County is included on only 3 of the smaller projects totaling $30 million. Based on population, the proposed spending for Collin County is only half of its fair share of the stimulus funds.

TxDOT's list will be cut in half, so it is very possible that out of a projected state total of $1.2 billion in federal stimulus spending, Collin County would receive nothing.

The 3 projects listed by TxDOT are:

• $27 million to widen US 380 from Lake Lavon to Farmersville.
• $2.5 million for intersection improvements on Preston Rd. @ Legacy.
• $485,000 to construct a left turn lane on SH5 @ FM 455.

Don't our legislators do anything to protect Collin County?

We have commissioners here who campaign for office based on their ability to forge relationships with legislators and state officials. What exactly is that influence getting us? Only screwed six ways from Sunday by TxDOT on pass-through financing, on SH121, and now on stimulus spending.

I'm starting to believe that Austin's only interest in Collin County is toll revenue and reliable Republican votes (votes that Austin doesn't have to work for).

Bill

List of Prioritized Proposed Projects given to the Select Committee

FromTxDOT's Stimulus Funding web page:

TxDOT released a list of transportation projects that would require $2.2 billion in stimulus funds that department staff will eventually narrow to projects requiring $1.2 billion. TxDOT also provided the committee with a list of maintenance projects that would require $508 million in stimulus money.

The committee was also provided with a list of $600 million in projects that could be funded through the state’s Proposition 14 bond initiative, a program created by the Texas Legislature.

The Texas Transportation Commission will meet in Austin on Wednesday, February 25, and Thursday, February 26. Wednesday’s commission meeting is scheduled to include a discussion of TxDOT’s work to prepare for the expenditure of stimulus funds. Thursday’s meeting is scheduled to include commission action on projects from the state’s share of stimulus funds and from the state’s Proposition 14 bond program.