Best way to propose a road improvement idea in Texas: Via TXDOT or local Rep?

[thisdj78]

What is the best way to submit major highway improvement ideas that will be taken seriously? Would it be thru TXDOT or contacting a local elected official?

[MaxConcrete]

It's hard to say which way is best. It probably depends on the locale, with possible big differences between urban and rural areas.

Generally speaking, the local metropolitan planning organization ("MPO") needs to include the project in their planning documents. Then TxDOT will include the project in their planning process which will lead to inclusion in the UTP. MPO project inclusion can be done both ways, by request of TxDOT or by a political leader serving in the MPO.

You should probably first contact the planning director of your TxDOT district to find out their opinion of the improvement ideas. If there is no TxDOT activity on your ideas, then you will need to contact your elected official who is on the MPO, and try to get him/her interested. It can take a major effort of elected officials to get a project in the UTP. For example, elected officials lobbied TxDOT for years to get Grand Parkway segment B moving forward. Ideas can also fall flat. For example, a state-level representative promoted the idea of a freeway loop around the Woodlands, but that idea seems to have gone nowhere.

Realistically, if your ideas are not already on the planning horizon with TxDOT or an influential political entity (such as city or county government), you will be facing a difficult challenge.

[bwana39]

What is the best way to submit major highway improvement ideas that will be taken seriously? Would it be thru TXDOT or contacting a local elected official?

YOur state rep will be the one who is least invested in the status quo. He will not have a lot of say in the issue, but he will be able to mention it farther up the Chain of command at TxDot.

As far as goes the MPO, they already have a long term agenda set.  TxDOT basically works on projects favored by the MPO within the confines of the budget of the TxDOT region.

If it a new road, you might reach out to your regional Toll Road Authority..

[The Ghostbuster]

The best way to propose a road improvement in Texas, is to first post it here. Then send it to the powers-that-be. Whether it will actually be implemented is another story.