During the 109th session of Congress, Representative Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas) successfully amended the 2005 SAFETEA-LU Highway Reauthorization bill to allow states to obtain federal for certain transportation projects.  Today, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, that amendment netted almost $4 million to the State of Texas for transportation, with almost $660,000 going directly to North Texas. 

“The previous provisions impeded a state’s ability to receive federal transportation development credits, and that was wrong,” said Rep. Burgess. “With help from TxDOT, I was able to recognize this unjust penalty and find a way to fix the problem.  Now Texas and states all across the country can receive additional transportation funding to develop and maintain a healthy infrastructure.”

Through his work with TxDOT, Rep. Burgess made it possible for more federal funding to go towards transportation at both the state and local level.  Previously, if a state used any state or local funds on a toll project, they became ineligible to receive transportation development credits from the federal government.  Representative Burgess was able to put an end to this unfair practice.

Of the $4 million, $660,000 will go to North Texas projects such as SPAN, Inc., an organization located in Denton which provides transportation services to older persons, persons with disabilities, and veterans, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization in North Texas.  Additionally, TxDOT passed an order to utilize transportation development credits in support of the metropolitan planning program.

“Recent reports show the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is the fastest growing area in the nation, and we must meet that demand with a capable highway infrastructure,” continued Rep. Burgess.  “I am pleased that Texas and other states will now receive their fair share of federal transportation development credits.”

With the application of this new provision, it is estimated that transportation development credits should net an additional $2.1 billion for Texas’ transportation needs through the life of the 2005 Highway Reauthorization bill.

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