The Regional Transportation Council is preparing to advocate for a comprehensive set of transportation funding priorities during the upcoming session of the Texas Legislature. The 45-member policy council, composed of elected and appointed officials, aims to secure additional federal and state revenue for infrastructure projects across North Texas.
Rebekah Gongora, a communications program manager with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, presented the draft priorities to regional leaders during a meeting on Friday. She noted that President Donald Trump recently signed a continuing resolution extending federal highway funding through Dec. 11.
This extension covers the Highway Trust Fund and core formula programs but does not provide new money for advanced appropriations such as bridge investments or low-emission bus initiatives.
Gongora also highlighted that funding for projects under the $350 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, originally signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, has been extended. However, she emphasized that Congress must still approve long-term spending bills. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the BUILD America 250 Act in May, which would reauthorize transportation infrastructure funding for five years.
The bill is now with the Ways and Means Committee, while the Senate has not yet released its version.
On the state level, Texas House and Senate committees are reviewing changes to Texas Department of Transportation funding. These proposed changes include public safety measures at railroad crossings, standards for autonomous vehicle technology, commercial driver license requirements, and oversight protocols.
