The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board voted unanimously Monday to approve a prioritization process to refund deferred projects using Surface Transportation Block Grant funds, also known as Category 7. Some plans were postponed in June so that funds could be reallocated to the I-35 Capital Express project, with the intention to refund […]
CAMPO
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is the regional planning organization for Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. Its membership is drawn from the elected officials of those municipalities, as well as various cities that fall within the region, including the City of Austin. CAMPO’s focus is on regional transportation issues.
Posted inTransit
CAMPO authorizes federal transit funding for seniors, individuals with disabilities
On Monday, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board unanimously approved new transportation funding criteria for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities using funds from the Federal Transit Administration, amid growing competition. FTA Section 5310 is a federal program that grants money to local transportation programs that increase mobility options and improve transportation […]
Posted inTransportation
CAMPO offers new board structure
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is considering modifying leadership policies of the Transportation Policy Board’s bylaws to ensure broader representation from different types and sizes of jurisdictions. But some board members and transportation advocates say election week is not the time to make such proposals. The new proposal from Chair Cynthia Long would reconfigure […]
Posted inRoads
TxDOT to reconsider U.S. 183 South route
After a series of stakeholder meetings beginning last November, the Texas Department of Transportation is considering rerouting its planned U.S. Highway 183 South expansion to avoid impacting a historic African American family farm and cemetery in southeastern Travis County. According to Rosalind Alexander-Kasparik, the farm is the county’s oldest Black-owned farm, founded by her great-great-grandfather, […]
Posted inTransportation
CAMPO pushes transit, active transportation, other projects to the side for I-35
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has at last approved a list of projects to defer from its 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program in order to contribute $633 million for the Interstate 35 Capital Express Central project. However, representatives from Travis County and Austin remain unhappy with the final result. The agency’s Transportation Policy Board agreed […]
Posted inTransportation
Financial commitment for I-35 continues to divide CAMPO
After weeks of running projects through updated scoring criteria, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is still not approaching consensus on a list of projects to defer from its 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program, in order to free up $633 million in state funds for the Capital Express Interstate 35 expansion. Transportation Policy Board members requested […]
Posted inTransportation
CAMPO adopts a plan without a plan
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Policy Board adopted a planning document Monday afternoon that falls far short of the expectations of community members and many regional leaders alike. The 2045 Regional Transportation Plan is intended to supersede the existing transportation plan to help guide roadway connections and expansions and other transportation activities for […]
Posted inTransportation
Texas Transportation Commission ties billions of dollars to I-35 central project
The Texas Transportation Commission amended its 2020 Unified Transportation Program on Thursday morning, throwing in $3.4 billion for the $6.6 billion central piece of the Interstate 35 Capital Express project that would expand the interstate between U.S. Highway 290 East and Ben White Boulevard. The project currently has no final design, and economic troubles from […]
Posted inTransportation
I-35 expansion divides public opinion during economic downturn
The Texas Transportation Commission will vote Thursday to advance the state’s multibillion-dollar Capital Express Interstate 35 project despite the economic turmoil of Covid-19 and public concerns over the project’s financial viability. “Given the current economic situation and the collapse in the oil market, our statewide fund balances, in all likelihood, will be too unstable to […]
Posted inTransportation
CAMPO commits $633 million to I-35 without a final list of cut projects
In the last week alone, hundreds of people from across the six-county region have contacted the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization requesting more time and analysis before it decides on the list of projects to defer in order to free up $633 million for the Interstate 35 Capital Express Central project. In response, the regional […]
Posted inTransportation
County commissioners send admonishing letter to CAMPO
After weeks of debate, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to send a letter to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization criticizing its planning process for the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. However, despite concerns from commissioners and the public about the limited public engagement process over the reallocation of $600 million from CAMPO and the […]
Posted inTransportation
County commissioners to write ‘harsh’ letter reprimanding CAMPO planning process
After considering asking for a delay, the Travis County Commissioners Court agreed not to obstruct the scheduled adoption of the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. Instead, the commissioners intend to communicate their displeasure with the planning process through a letter they will approve at today’s meeting. On April 20, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization will […]