Safety Briefing Staff will provide general safety instruction.
Approval of Minutes of the February 26, 2015 regular meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission
Acknowledgement of Service Recognize by resolution Paul D. Frerich, P.E., District Engineer, Yoakum District, for his 31 years of service to the department
Advisory Committee Appointment Appoint member to the Port Authority Advisory Committee (MO) Created by state law, the purpose of the Port Authority Advisory Committee is to offer advice and recommendations that will provide the commission and the department with a broad perspective regarding maritime ports and transportation-related matters to be considered in formulating department policies concerning the Texas maritime port system.
Highway Designation Harris County - Designate a segment of the state highway system as I-69, concurrent with US 59 from the existing I-69 termini at I-610 North and I-610 West in the city of Houston (MO) (Presentation) This minute order designates a segment of the state highway system as I-69, concurrent with US 59 from the existing I-69 termini at I-610 North and I-610 West in the city of Houston, a distance of approximately 11.9 miles. This action will complete the designation of I-69 in Houston and points north to the Montgomery/Liberty county line and south to Rosenberg for a continuous 75 miles. The Houston-Galveston Area Council, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the Federal Highway Administration have approved the designation of this segment.
Chapter 9 - Contract and Grant Management (MO) Amendments to §9.31, Definitions, and §9.34, Comprehensive Process (Contracting for Architectural, Engineering, and Surveying Services) These amendments will update certain definitions and terminologies as well as address recent organizational changes within the department.
Chapter 25 - Traffic Operations (MO) New §25.28, Reducing Speeds on Roadways with a Greater Than Average Crash Rate (Procedures for Establishing Speed Zones) These rules create a streamlined speed zone process to allow the commission to more quickly address safety concerns by altering speed limits on a section of roadway that has a crash rate greater than the statewide crash rate for similar roadways. The emergency rules that dealt with similar issues have expired.
Chapter 7 - Rail Facilities (MO) Amendments to §7.30, Definitions, §7.32, Filing Requirements, §7.33, Reports of Accidents/Incidents, §7.34, Hazardous Materials -- Telephonic Reports of Incidents, §7.38, Wayside Detector Map, List, or Chart, and §7.42, Administrative Review (Rail Safety) In December 2013, all railroad investigation functions for the State Rail Safety Participation Program were moved from TxDOT’s Rail Division to the Traffic Operations Division. The proposed amendments replace all references to the Rail Division in the rules relating to rail safety with Traffic Operations Division.
Compliance Office Compliance Office report State law requires the commission to establish a compliance program, which must include a compliance office to oversee the program. The compliance office is responsible for acting to prevent and detect serious breaches of department policy, fraud, waste, and abuse of office, including any acts of criminal conduct within the department. The compliance office is required to provide a monthly report to the commission regarding investigations and a summary of information relating to trends and recommendations.
State Infrastructure Bank Henderson and Anderson Counties - Poynor Community Water Supply Corporation - Consider granting final approval of an application from the Poynor Community Water Supply Corporation to borrow up to $650,000 from the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) to pay for water utility relocations required for the reconstruction of US 175 (MO) The department has entered into a standard utility agreement with Poynor Community Water Supply Corporation regarding water line relocation necessary for the department’s planned improvements to reconstruct US 175 for approximately 8.7 miles to widen it from an existing two-lane to a four-lane divided highway. Poynor Community Water Supply Corporation is requesting a loan from the SIB to pay for its costs of relocating water lines for approximately 4.5 miles along the highway. The SIB loan will be secured by a pledge of the department’s reimbursements under a standard utility agreement and revenues of the water system.
Highway Maintenance and Department Building Construction (see attached itemized list) (MO)
Highway and Transportation Enhancement Building Construction (see attached itemized list) (MO)
Eminent Domain Proceedings Various Counties - Authorize the filing of condemnation proceedings to acquire real property by eminent domain for non-controlled and controlled access highways (see attached itemized list) (MO) Commission findings, determinations, and authorizations for the state, by motion made in accordance with Senate Bill 18 (82nd Legislature), to acquire by eminent domain, upon the payment of adequate and just compensation, various ownership interests in specific parcels of real property that are needed to develop or improve both non-controlled and controlled access state highways, to include requesting the state attorney general to bring and pursue condemnation suits relating to those specific parcels of real property described in the attached itemized list.
Routine Minute Orders and Reports a. Donations to the Department Various Districts - Consider the acknowledgment of donations made to the department to include: (a) donations in any form, including realty, personalty, money, materials, or services, which are made to the department for the purpose of carrying out its functions and duties; and (b) donations from landowners, with land adjacent to a highway that is part of the state highway system, to construct an improvement on the highway right-of-way that is directly related to improving access to or from the owner’s land. (See attached itemized list) (MO) The donations will ensure the safety of the traveling public. b. Real Estate Dispositions and Donations The commission must approve the sales, transfers, and exchanges of state rights of way and other real properties that are no longer needed for a state highway purpose. It must also approve, accept and acknowledge donations to the state of real property that is valued at $500 or more. Travis County - SL 360, northeast corner at S. Lamar/Ben White Boulevard in Austin - Consider the sale of right of way to the abutting landowner (MO) The district has determined that the land is no longer needed for highway purposes. The abutting landowner has requested to purchase the land, and it may be sold to the abutting owner. c. Speed Zones Various Counties - Establish or alter regulatory and construction speed zones on various sections of highways in the state (MO) This minute order establishes or alters regulatory and construction speed zones on various sections of highways in the state.
At the conclusion of all other agenda items, the commission will allow an open comment period, not to exceed one hour, to receive public comment on any other matter that is under the jurisdiction of the department. No action will be taken. Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of three minutes. Speakers must be signed up prior to the beginning of the open comment period. ADJOURN
Safety Briefing Staff will provide general safety instruction.
Approval of Minutes of the February 26, 2015 regular meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission
Acknowledgement of Service Recognize by resolution Paul D. Frerich, P.E., District Engineer, Yoakum District, for his 31 years of service to the department
Advisory Committee Appointment Appoint member to the Port Authority Advisory Committee (MO) Created by state law, the purpose of the Port Authority Advisory Committee is to offer advice and recommendations that will provide the commission and the department with a broad perspective regarding maritime ports and transportation-related matters to be considered in formulating department policies concerning the Texas maritime port system.
Highway Designation Harris County - Designate a segment of the state highway system as I-69, concurrent with US 59 from the existing I-69 termini at I-610 North and I-610 West in the city of Houston (MO) (Presentation) This minute order designates a segment of the state highway system as I-69, concurrent with US 59 from the existing I-69 termini at I-610 North and I-610 West in the city of Houston, a distance of approximately 11.9 miles. This action will complete the designation of I-69 in Houston and points north to the Montgomery/Liberty county line and south to Rosenberg for a continuous 75 miles. The Houston-Galveston Area Council, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the Federal Highway Administration have approved the designation of this segment.
Chapter 9 - Contract and Grant Management (MO) Amendments to §9.31, Definitions, and §9.34, Comprehensive Process (Contracting for Architectural, Engineering, and Surveying Services) These amendments will update certain definitions and terminologies as well as address recent organizational changes within the department.
Chapter 25 - Traffic Operations (MO) New §25.28, Reducing Speeds on Roadways with a Greater Than Average Crash Rate (Procedures for Establishing Speed Zones) These rules create a streamlined speed zone process to allow the commission to more quickly address safety concerns by altering speed limits on a section of roadway that has a crash rate greater than the statewide crash rate for similar roadways. The emergency rules that dealt with similar issues have expired.
Chapter 7 - Rail Facilities (MO) Amendments to §7.30, Definitions, §7.32, Filing Requirements, §7.33, Reports of Accidents/Incidents, §7.34, Hazardous Materials -- Telephonic Reports of Incidents, §7.38, Wayside Detector Map, List, or Chart, and §7.42, Administrative Review (Rail Safety) In December 2013, all railroad investigation functions for the State Rail Safety Participation Program were moved from TxDOT’s Rail Division to the Traffic Operations Division. The proposed amendments replace all references to the Rail Division in the rules relating to rail safety with Traffic Operations Division.
Compliance Office Compliance Office report State law requires the commission to establish a compliance program, which must include a compliance office to oversee the program. The compliance office is responsible for acting to prevent and detect serious breaches of department policy, fraud, waste, and abuse of office, including any acts of criminal conduct within the department. The compliance office is required to provide a monthly report to the commission regarding investigations and a summary of information relating to trends and recommendations.
State Infrastructure Bank Henderson and Anderson Counties - Poynor Community Water Supply Corporation - Consider granting final approval of an application from the Poynor Community Water Supply Corporation to borrow up to $650,000 from the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) to pay for water utility relocations required for the reconstruction of US 175 (MO) The department has entered into a standard utility agreement with Poynor Community Water Supply Corporation regarding water line relocation necessary for the department’s planned improvements to reconstruct US 175 for approximately 8.7 miles to widen it from an existing two-lane to a four-lane divided highway. Poynor Community Water Supply Corporation is requesting a loan from the SIB to pay for its costs of relocating water lines for approximately 4.5 miles along the highway. The SIB loan will be secured by a pledge of the department’s reimbursements under a standard utility agreement and revenues of the water system.
Highway Maintenance and Department Building Construction (see attached itemized list) (MO)
Highway and Transportation Enhancement Building Construction (see attached itemized list) (MO)
Eminent Domain Proceedings Various Counties - Authorize the filing of condemnation proceedings to acquire real property by eminent domain for non-controlled and controlled access highways (see attached itemized list) (MO) Commission findings, determinations, and authorizations for the state, by motion made in accordance with Senate Bill 18 (82nd Legislature), to acquire by eminent domain, upon the payment of adequate and just compensation, various ownership interests in specific parcels of real property that are needed to develop or improve both non-controlled and controlled access state highways, to include requesting the state attorney general to bring and pursue condemnation suits relating to those specific parcels of real property described in the attached itemized list.
Routine Minute Orders and Reports a. Donations to the Department Various Districts - Consider the acknowledgment of donations made to the department to include: (a) donations in any form, including realty, personalty, money, materials, or services, which are made to the department for the purpose of carrying out its functions and duties; and (b) donations from landowners, with land adjacent to a highway that is part of the state highway system, to construct an improvement on the highway right-of-way that is directly related to improving access to or from the owner’s land. (See attached itemized list) (MO) The donations will ensure the safety of the traveling public. b. Real Estate Dispositions and Donations The commission must approve the sales, transfers, and exchanges of state rights of way and other real properties that are no longer needed for a state highway purpose. It must also approve, accept and acknowledge donations to the state of real property that is valued at $500 or more. Travis County - SL 360, northeast corner at S. Lamar/Ben White Boulevard in Austin - Consider the sale of right of way to the abutting landowner (MO) The district has determined that the land is no longer needed for highway purposes. The abutting landowner has requested to purchase the land, and it may be sold to the abutting owner. c. Speed Zones Various Counties - Establish or alter regulatory and construction speed zones on various sections of highways in the state (MO) This minute order establishes or alters regulatory and construction speed zones on various sections of highways in the state.
At the conclusion of all other agenda items, the commission will allow an open comment period, not to exceed one hour, to receive public comment on any other matter that is under the jurisdiction of the department. No action will be taken. Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of three minutes. Speakers must be signed up prior to the beginning of the open comment period. ADJOURN