Marc Williams, the Executive Director of Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said that, with a new transportation draft developing, public input is critical. His remarks can be found in a July 6th news release from the TxDOT announcing a draft plan for future Texas transportation projects.
“The UTP is TxDOT’s road map to developing projects across the state... It’s important to work with our transportation partners and hear from the public to guide transportation improvements that address congestion and enhance safety,” said Williams.
The news release announced a huge plan encompassing various upcoming projects. TxDOT is seeking public input on the plan, which is valued at $100 billion. A virtual meeting has already been held to inform attendees about the draft, but there is still time to weigh in on the decision. The release states that the “public comment period” does not end until August 7th.
This “2024 Unified Transportation Program” (UTP) is a ten-year plan that reportedly costs $15 billion more than the 023 plan. The release states that projects involved in the plan are aimed at increasing safety, decreasing congestion and preserving roads across Texas. Other projects focus on different modes of transportation, including rail, air, pedestrian and several more.
The release outlines multiple methods for public input. One way is to visit the “Public Involvement section” of the department’s website, found at “TxDOT.gov,” where there are recordings of the hearings in multiple languages available for review. The release stresses that feedback is “very important” for the plan’s development.
According to the release, TxDOT is an organization in charge of the maintenance of “80,000 miles of road,” and has additional responsibility within other transportation sectors, including air and sea. TxDOT claims to maintain a safe and reliable system that streamlines transportation.
Marc Williams, according to the TxDOT website, has substantial experience in the field of transportation, both in the private and public sectors. His career in transportation has involved several positions involving planning, developing, and managing projects.