NET RMA Sets Sights On Stimulus Money, I-49 Tolls

NET RMA Board of Directors continues to seek funding

LINDEN, TX, Feb. 18, 2009 -- The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) continued to focus on funding at its Board Meeting on Wednesday, voting on an Interlocal Agreement with a member county, supporting a resolution to seek stimulus funding, and asking that Toll 49 toll revenue be redirected toward the NET RMA.

During the meeting, the Board of Directors voted to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with Rusk County to further develop Loop 571 around Henderson. The Board also considered a resolution to seek Federal stimulus funding for transportation projects in northeast Texas.

The $787 billion stimulus bill, which was signed by President Barack Obama on Tuesday, is expected to provide the state of Texas with up to $2.2 billion in funding for highway projects and $2.5 billion in overall transportation funding.

The NET RMA affirmed the resolution, and said it would support the projects that have been submitted for consideration by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Tyler and Atlanta districts.

“We look forward to learning more about what will be in the stimulus package,” said NET RMA Chairman Jeff Austin, III. “We have projects that are essential to the economic growth and quality of life of our region’s citizens, so we would like to be considered.”


Other Actions:
In other action, the NET RMA Board moved to request that toll revenue generated by open segments of Toll 49 be redirected from TxDOT to the NET RMA. The NET RMA asked TxDOT to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that, in addition to transferring funds, would also lead to the eventual transfer of project ownership to the NET RMA, and repayment of maintenance and operation costs.

“The NET RMA will use the money generated from Toll 49 to help fund other segments of the road,” Austin said. “That’s the beauty of this structure. Unlike gas tax, which is collected and then disbursed throughout the country and state, the toll revenue that East Texans have invested will be used to build projects locally that East Texans will benefit from.”

In October 2008 the NET RMA considered action to become the lead agency for the East Texas Regional Transportation Coordination Planning Steering Committee, a state-mandated organization that coordinates and plans regional transportation. Wednesday, the Board decided to continue discussions with the Steering Committee to develop an implementation plan for the future.

Other action items and presentations during the meeting included:
* Legal Counsel Brian Cassidy updated the Board on the 81st Texas Legislative session.

* The Board of Directors discussed the I-20 managed lane study.

A discussion about future NET RMA projects included:
* An update on the status of design for Toll 49 Segments 3A and 5.

* East Texas Hourglass: A summary of the NET RMA East Texas Hourglass Committee was given, and a discussion was held regarding the next steps for the project.

* Angelina Neches River Authority, Lake Columbia Projects: A summary of the January 20, 2009 meeting was presented.

Source: NET RMA Release

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NET RMA Board Meeting To Focus On Federal Stimulus Funds

Board to discuss today what projects could qualify as 'shovel ready', thereby making federal funding possible

Feb. 18, 2009 -- In their last meeting on Jan. 15th, The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) heard Titus County Judge Sam Russell say that Texas is facing a challenge when it comes to transportation funding.

“It will be slim pickings not only in Texas, but across the United States,” Russell said during the meeting. “But maybe by working together we can get these projects accomplished.”

With that said, board members did see a glimmer of funding hope in the huge financial stimulus package that was being talked about at the time on Capitol Hill, and has since been passed.

The Board discussed the possibility of accelerating work on Toll 49 Segment 3A so that the project might be included in the economic stimulus package being prepared by the Federal government. In order to be considered, the government has stipulated that projects must be “Shovel Ready,” which means they have completed environmental clearance, engineering, the land acquisition process, and utility adjustments.

“We are keeping a close eye on the possibility of obtaining federal funding,” said NET RMA Chairman Jeff Austin, III. “The NET RMA wants to be in a position to act if the opportunity presents itself.”

In today's meeting, board members hope to further that goal. One of the meeting's agenda items is a report on possible actions the Authority could take to secure available federal funding.

Board members will also consider participation in the East Texas Steering Committee for Regional Transit Coordination Planning, as well as hear numerous reports on the status of transportation projects across the region.

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