Stimulus $$ to Fix Four Taylor Cty. Bridges

AUSTIN - On Wednesday, February 25, staff for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) released a list of projects that could be developed using $1.2 billion in funds available to the state under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly known as the economic stimulus package. TxDOT also recommended a list of maintenance and preservation projects that would require approximately $500 million in stimulus money.

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 the staff-recommended list of maintenance projects.

The Texas Transportation Commission is expected to vote on the $1.2 billion staff-recommended list during a special meeting on March 5. The staff recommendation was created by applying criteria developed by the state's local transportation leaders to an extensive list of projects that met the initial requirements for readiness established in the stimulus bill.

Agency recommended stimulus maintenance projects in the Abilene District include the following projects: Road repair on I-20 in Howard County from the Martin County line to Big Spring, and four bridge replacements in Taylor County. Those bridges are on County Road (CR)173 at Bulger Creek, CR 345 at Draw and two on CR 344 at Mulberry Creek tributaries. Also included in the maintenance projects in Taylor County are a bridge replacement on FM 126 at Mulberry Creek, and resurfacing I-20 in Mitchell County from the Howard County line to FM 670 and from near FM 670 to near Colorado City. These eight projects total approximately $13.1 million.

A list of statewide project lists and more information are available on the TxDOT website, www.txdot.gov (keyword "stimulus"). Citizens can comment on TxDOT's proposal to implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the website, by fax (512-463-9896), by email (askTxDOT@dot.state.tx.us) or by writing to the department (125 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701).