7-26-13 – HGAC Transportation Policy Council Meeting
HGAC Transportation Policy Council Meeting
On Friday, July 26, 2013, the Transportation Policy Council (TPC) passed amendments to the 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which reflect modifications to projects valued at $5 billion. $69 million
was programmed to additional 2013-2016 Call-for-Projects awards, including a direct connector at US 59 S/IH 610, widening of Smith Ranch Road, and Kemah transit vehicle acquisition projects. The full list of projects can be seen here.
Commissioner James Patterson (left) Engages at TPC
Transportation Development Credits (TDCs) were once again discussed amongst Council members. TDCs are non-cash credits issued by the federal Department of Transportation
awarded to states based on non-federal expenditures to toll roads. They can be used to meet the requirement for non-federal matching funds, allowing projects to be 100% federally funded. Ten Awards totaling 3.16 million credits were approved by TPC to be sent to Texas Department of Transportation for award for time-sensitive transit projects providing critical public transportation services.
The Unified Planning Work Program for 2014-2015 was approved by TPC. This federally-required document describes the regional transportation planning activities to be conducted during the fiscal years 2014-2015 by H-GAC, local governments and transportation agencies. Click here to review the document in its entirety.
Liberty County Commissioner Norman Brown was appointed by TPC as H-GAC’s representative to a “1420 Committee” for Segments H and I of the Grand Parkway project. The “1420 committee” votes on the transfer of risk from the public sector to the private sector, the tolling policy, and allowance of TxDOT to move forward with private investments on the project.
The Regional Goods Movement Study was presented to TPC. The goal of the plan is to ensure that the regional transportation network will safely support growth in goods movement, mitigate impacts on the environment, community livability and quality of life.
Program Manager David Wurdlow at H-GAC provided a background to Letters of No Prejudice (LONP) and a review of the thirteen current LONPs in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). LONPs allow time-sensitive, critical-path transit investments to be advanced before federal grant funds are available. TPC agreed to review the projects
for reimbursement to local governments and transit agencies before submission to the Federal Transportation Administration. Click here. and scroll down for a list of projects with LONPs.