Originally published in 2011
Major Changes Recommended for TXDOT:
On January 5, 2011, a high level committee, named the Texas Department of Transportation’s Restructure Council, tasked with recommending change for TxDOT, delivered their findings in a Special Meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission. The Council members are David Laney, a Dallas attorney and former Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission; Jay Kimbrough, counsel for the Texas A&M Board of Regents; and Howard Wolf, a well known Houston attorney specializing in assisting companies or organizations experiencing difficulties.
Together, they reviewed the Grant Thornton report, along with several earlier reports, examining various aspects of TxDOT. The purpose of the Council was to examine and extract from the reports, as well as any other sources the Council deemed appropriate, recommendations for the restructure, reform and modernization of TxDOT that would have the most valuable and lasting impact on enhancing TxDOT’s organizational performance. For those interested in reviewing the report, it can be found at http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/restructure/ report_0l0511.pdf. The primary reason for including this information in my column is to highlight the Council’s comments pertaining to aviation and air transportation. On page 29 of the report is a section on Aviation and Passenger Rail. The following comments pertaining to aviation are taken from that section.
“The demands on transportation systems in Texas today are enormous and will increase in the foreseeable future. Texas’ approach to these challenges must encompass more than just roads. Rail, aviation, ports, and transit, for instance, already play significant roles in moving people and goods. TxDOT’s direct and indirect coordinating roles in the development of capacity and interconnectivity of all elements of Texas’ transportation systems should be appropriately embodied in the organizational structure as strategic elements in addressing the future mobility challenges of Texas. General aviation and rail planning are of particular importance.
General aviation airports represent an increasingly valuable transportation asset for Texas and for the individual communities they serve. For instance, the approximately 270 general aviation airports are responsible for nearly 61,900 jobs and nine billion annually in economic impact. The Council recognizes TxDOT’s efforts in building and maintaining a nationally recognized airport system and encourages the Commission to include general aviation, along with other modes as significant partners with rising importance in solving the state’s transportation challenge.”
The role of our state’s airport system is not well understood by the general public. I am extremely pleased that the Restructure Council realizes the importance of general aviation and saw fit to acknowledge the work that has been done to make the Texas Statewide Airport System one of the best in the nation. I also appreciate the Council pointing out the fact that our system will play a significant role in helping solve our transportation problems and contributing to the future economic growth of Texas.