TxDOT Executive Director: Turnback Program Is Voluntary
Posted/updated on: September 12, 2013 at 12:25 pm
TYLER — Tyler leaders have learned that the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Turnback” program is voluntary. The program has been under consideration by the State Transportation Commission. Mayor Pro Tem Martin Heines (pictured) and City Manager Mark McDaniel traveled to Austin Tuesday to present Tyler’s case against the program and to ascertain the status of TxDOT’s current position on the proposal.
According to a city of Tyler news release, the original communication from TxDOT suggested the transfer of 1,900 miles of state highways in urban areas to local governments. The impact to municipalities could be significant depending upon the amount of roadway under consideration in a particular city.
“For Tyler, the potential financial impact would be tremendous because of the number of state highways within our City limits,” said Heines. “The information received from TxDOT identified 42 miles of roadways that would transfer to the City for not only routine maintenance, but also future reconstruction at the end of the road’s life cycle. This could mean as much as $30 million in future costs to Tyler alone over the next 20 years.”
Tyler was joined at Tuesday’s meeting by several other Texas cities of comparable size who voiced similar concerns about potential financial impacts to local governments. At the meeting, TxDOT Executive Director Phil Wilson provided clarification that the “Turnback” program would be voluntary and cities will have the option to participate or not. This statement came after weeks of initial dialogue, discussion and expressions of concern by legislators and cities across Texas.
“We appreciate the executive director stressing the voluntary nature of this proposal,” added Heines. “It was a good meeting that helped us better understand TxDOT’s current proposal. Tyler is taking a close look at any potential benefits of voluntarily taking on any of these state highways; ultimately we will do what is in the best interest of our community and our taxpayers.”
