Every expo has its day. The days October 12-15 this year are the days for the APTA transportation expo. [APTA]
Monthly Archives: October 2014
2013 Transportation Refresher
In the summer of 2013 the Texas Legislature was busy with three back to back special sessions. The final special session brought us SJR 1 and HB 1 which begins the process of solving Texas transportation funding structure. Legislative voyeurs are concerned about diversions in transportation funding. Transportation funding has been used to fund everything from education to law enforcement. [SJR 1 (2013…
North Texans Not Happy Campers with Private Toll Road
Local governments are paying attention to the robust public input on a North Texas private toll road project by the Texas Turnpike Corporation. To translate lawyer speak- robust public input means angry voters. This week the town of Wylie called a special council meeting & voted to OPPOSE a private toll road, which gives the private corporation eminent domain authority. Texans don’t like private toll roads. Texans dislike private companies using eminent domain & building private t…
Future of Texas Transportation Funding in Voter Hands
From Waco’s ABC 25 News: ” Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization Director Chris Evilia says, “I can tell you that our financial forecasts are pretty bleak.”
When it comes to transportation funding, the Waco MPO isn’t alone. That’s why lawmakers are putting Proposition 1 on the November ballot.
If it passes, a significant amount of money will be diverted from Texas’ Rainy Day Fund — into the Highway Transportation Fund every year. ”
Posted in2013 Legislation, funding, roads
New transportation options are coming to our streets. Good for the laisse faire market. As the District Attorneys in LA and San Francisco recently warned by letter, liability for injuries is an issue that should be addressed. This liability issue directly relates to how should a state or city regulate these new methods of transportation? Do these new transportation methods fit within the liability rules for an existing transportation provider? Maybe, maybe not. Tort issues will arise. Way back in the summer of 2013, the Legislature passed legislation to support adding $1 Billion, a fraction of oil and gas tax revenues, to the State Highway Fund. Usually a 2013 constititional amdendment is put to the vote in 2013. But, not in this case of this quirky bill, it set the election date as 2014. [KUT] [2013’s transportation bills:
Posted in2013 Legislation, funding, roads
A tiny blind spider colony is causing major headaches in San Antonio. Three years after finding the blind spider, the project has been re-routed, and the price tag trippled. The spider gets to keep its habitat, the citizens get their needed roadways. [My SA]How risky is your Uber ride? Maybe more than you think – CNET
Prop. 1: Transportation Funding. Is $1 Billion Enough?
Itsy Bitsy Spider Climbed Up the Water Spout. Stopped on Bridge. Stopped Construction.