The Texas Transportation Commission will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 30, in Austin to consider authorizing the next procurement step for a major segment of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project, designating additional portions of State Highway 99 as toll roads and discussing the agency’s next Legislative Appropriations Request.
The commission will meet at the Dewitt C. Greer Building, 125 E. 11th St., in Austin. The regular meeting also includes highway contract awards, rulemaking, right-of-way acquisitions and finance items.
One of the meeting’s most significant agenda items is a proposal to authorize TxDOT to issue a request for qualifications for Segment 3C-2 of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project. The segment would reconstruct the interchange connecting Interstate 45, Interstate 10 and U.S. 59/Interstate 69 at the northeast edge of downtown Houston.
A request for qualifications is the first formal step in the design-build procurement process, allowing construction teams to prequalify before the department selects a contractor.
According to the agenda, the project would widen and realign I-45, reconstruct portions of I-10 and U.S. 59/I-69, add new non-tolled managed lanes, build direct connectors between I-69 and the future Hardy Toll Road and reconstruct multiple entrance and exit ramps between Jackson and Chenevert streets. The project also includes frontage roads, collector roads, utility bridges, railroad crossings and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
Commissioners will also consider designating portions of State Highway 99, the Grand Parkway, in Fort Bend County as toll facilities. The proposal covers Segment C-1 and portions of Segments C-2 and D.
If approved, the Grand Parkway Transportation Corporation would be authorized to finance, construct, operate and maintain those segments on the commission’s behalf. The proposal would also amend the existing toll rate agreement to include the new segments and assign their toll revenue to the corporation.
Another key discussion item is TxDOT’s Legislative Appropriations Request, which outlines the agency’s funding priorities for the upcoming state budget cycle.
The commission is also expected to award dozens of highway construction, maintenance and building contracts. Agenda documents include approximately 80 projects statewide, ranging from Interstate 20 improvements in Eastland County to safety work on Park Road 22 in Nueces County.
Right-of-way acquisitions are also on the agenda. The proposed eminent domain actions include more than 20 parcels associated with an Interstate 30 project in Tarrant County, along with acquisitions for projects on State Highway 68 in Hidalgo County, Farm-to-Market Road 2493 in Smith County, State Highway 97 in Gonzales County, FM 1777 in Collin County and FM 1053 in Pecos County.
Commissioners will also consider proposed amendments to the department’s uniform traffic control devices rule and final adoption of rules covering the short line railroad improvement state fund program, aviation facilities financial assistance and meteorological evaluation towers.
In addition, the commission will recognize San Angelo District Engineer Christopher M. Cowen, P.E., for more than 26 years of service. Routine agenda items include quarterly cash and project letting reports, the annual investment policy review, removal of State Spur 407 in Corpus Christi and a portion of FM 102 in Wharton County from the state highway system, and acceptance of numerous donations for transportation improvements across Texas.