Report: Traffic Crashes Related to Energy Boom Cost Billions
A Texas A&M University study reveals just how closely petroleum activity appears to be linked to collisions on crowded, crumbling roads in rural South and West Texas. Full Story
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Weber Stepping Down as Head of Transportation Department
Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director Joe Weber announced Tuesday that he will step down from the position after 18 months at the job. Full Story
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![Joe Weber was tapped by Gov. Rick Perry in 2014 to head the Texas Department of Transportation.]()
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Will Another Traffic Nightmare Precede the Next Big Storm?
Before Hurricane Rita hit the Texas coast 10 years ago, there was an evacuation marked by a traffic disaster. Officials say they're prepared to avoid a similar catastrophe on the roads. This is part of our "Road From Rita" series, a collaboration with the Beaumont Enterprise. Full Story
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![Fleeing before Hurricane Rita hit land on Sept. 24, 2005, evacuees faced a separate disaster on roads like Interstate 10. The chaotic evacuation contributed to more deaths than the storm itself. Officials say they are better prepared for the next evacuation.]()
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Federal Highway Funding Showdown is Latest TxDOT Budget Scramble
As Congress barrels toward a Friday deadline to fund the nation’s highway system, transportation experts across the country are responding to ever-tighter budgets with simple but significant cost-saving changes. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Google Puts Self-Driving Vehicle to the Test on Austin Streets
Over the past week, Google began testing one of its self-driving vehicles in Austin. The test drives come after years of experimenting with its groundbreaking autonomous vehicle technology almost exclusively in California. Full Story
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![Google confirmed it is testing its self-driving technology in Austin with two Lexus RX450h SUVs.]()
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Toll Road Projects in Limbo Following Session
Texas' network of tolled highways stretches for more than 500 miles, but its growth was curtailed this session as lawmakers passed several measures that make it tougher for toll projects to move forward. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Touts Successful Session on Transportation
The day after lawmakers ended their legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott touted a successful session for transportation funding and issues, as he signed three bills on a heliport in Dallas. Full Story
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Texans to Vote on Plan to Boost Road Funding
The Texas Legislature voted Saturday to ask the state's voters in November to approve a plan to boost annual transportation funding by billions of dollars. Full Story
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![State Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, right, at a Texas Tribune event on April 7, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
House, Senate Leaders Confirm Transportation Funding Deal
House and Senate leaders have come to an agreement on a deal to significantly boost the Texas Department of Transportation’s funding. Full Story
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![State Sen. Robert Nichols R-Jacksonville, and state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, speak at a Texas Tribune event on April 7, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Contracting Experiment Drawing Mixed Reviews
After four years of trying out a new way of awarding state contracts known as design-build, lawmakers aren't sure taxpayers get a better deal, and Texas businesses say they're being muscled out of jobs by larger, out-of-state companies. Full Story
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Limited Contracting Fixes Moving Forward
Amid a series of scandals, most lawmakers say they want to reform the way Texas hands out billions in state contracts. Discussion has narrowed to a handful of bills that some warn are merely first steps. Full Story
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![Chairwoman of the state Senate Finance Committee Jane Nelson and state House Appropriations Chairman John Otto.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House Approves Use of Sales Tax for Highways
The Texas House gave initial approval Thursday to a major boost in transportation funding from sales taxes, setting the stage for a showdown with the Senate over the best way to pay for Texas roads. Full Story
![State Sen. Robert Nichols R-Jacksonville, and state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, speak at a Texas Tribune event on April 7, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: Nichols and Pickett on Tolls
At our 4/7 conversation, state Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, and state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso — the chairmen, respectively, of the Senate and House Transportation Committees — discussed the state's reliance on toll roads. Full Story
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Video: A Conversation With Nichols and Pickett
Full video of my 4/7 conversation with state Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, and state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso — the chairmen, respectively, of the Senate and House Transportation Committees. Full Story
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Details Murky on State's Largest Contracts
The Tribune asked more than 20 state agencies for basic information on their largest contracts with private vendors. Most knew, but the embattled health commission, which believes it has $60 billion or so in contracts, couldn't provide key details. Full Story
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GOP Lawmakers Call for End to Toll Roads at Capitol Rally
Supporters at a Texas Capitol rally on Monday voiced support for a variety of bills filed aimed at either stopping new toll road projects or undoing the state’s current tolling system entirely. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
In Legislature, Toll Roads Facing Strong Opposition
Anti-toll sentiment at the Capitol is at its highest level in at least a decade as both Republicans and Democrats have proposed measures that would either tap the brakes on new toll road projects, or undo the state’s current tolling system entirely. Full Story
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Lawmakers Hope to Steer Self-Driving Car Bills to Governor's Desk
Three lawmakers have filed bills aimed at encouraging the use of self-driving technology in Texas while allowing for some government oversight. Full Story
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Former State Rep. Lewis to Head Transportation Commission
Gov. Greg Abbott has tapped former state Rep. Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, to be the chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. The five-member panel oversees the Texas Department of Transportation. Full Story
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Botched Toll Bills Prompt $1.7 Millon in Refunds
Billing problems on state toll roads are bigger than TxDOT previously announced, and customers who have been overcharged will be getting about $1.7 million back. Full Story
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Credit: Bill Jacobus
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