Following a year marked by substantial infrastructure investment, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) leadership addressed a regional assembly of employees, contractors, and transportation partners. The agency emphasized its commitment to meeting the rising demand for safety, delivery, and innovation amid Texas's rapid population growth.
"You all have seen just tremendous growth in resources that we have been the beneficiary of as an agency," said Executive Director Marc Williams to over 1,000 attendees at the Texas Transportation Forum held in January. He praised "Chairman Bugg" for his leadership in securing and executing these resources.
During a conversation with Williams, Chairman Bugg acknowledged TxDOT's 13,000 employees' contributions and highlighted the importance of partnerships and state leadership. "I want to thank Gov. Greg Abbott for appointing me as chairman," he said, reflecting on his appointment in 2017 after joining the Texas Transportation Commission in 2015. Bugg expressed his passion for serving Texans by facilitating daily commutes across the state.
Attendees received TxDOT’s Progress Report, detailing achievements and commitments towards safety and congestion relief through initiatives like the Texas Clear Lanes program. The report also emphasized record investments aimed at driving economic development within what is now considered the world's eighth-largest economy. This includes TxDOT’s $104 billion Unified Transportation Program for construction projects over ten years.
The forum also featured transportation leaders from Nevada and Utah discussing technology's role in reducing roadway fatalities and the necessity of public engagement to address behavioral challenges that technology alone cannot solve. Safety remains a top priority for TxDOT as it tackles rapid growth challenges. Since 2015, rural transportation funding has increased by 800%, alongside $8.1 billion allocated for border infrastructure.
"We have so many projects in the pipeline," Bugg noted. "Our motto is ‘Connecting you with Texas’ — there’s a lot of Texas to connect you with."
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