| Along with the growth Fort Bend County is experiencing comes transportation and mobility issues that Commissioner Ned Holmes of the Texas Transportation Commission said are unavoidable.
But Holmes, who spoke to business leaders Friday at the Rosenberg-Richmond Chamber of Commerce's monthly meeting, said the commission, which oversees statewide activities of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), is working hard to keep roadway projects moving at a brisk pace.
Holmes, who was appointed commissioner by Gov. Rick Perry in January and will serve through January 2011, said the incentive payments paid to contractors for finishing projects early are working, but the Houston district has unique situations.
"The Houston district is the third smallest by geography, but the largest district by population by a pretty wide margin," Holmes said. "Twenty-three percent of the state's population and 21 percent of the vehicles registered in the state are in the Houston district."
With many projects ongoing in the Houston district, Holmes said, "you can see the progress being made on the work being done on U.S. 90A in Sugar Land, along with the work being done on Highway 6 and the overpass of U.S. 90A, which is a $15 million project."
Closer to home, Grand Parkway runs through Fort Bend County and its continuation is part of a 170-mile project which will circle the Houston Metropolitan Area.
Holmes said the Grand Parkway project was the linchpin of the last legislative session, where legislation was passed to allow private money into the system to help TxDOT build projects like Grand Parkway.
There are 13 segments of the project and Holmes said he believes they will be completed under one major contract with a firm, but in many phases.
"Estimates for this project are around $5 billion, which would make it the largest roadway project in Texas history," Holmes said.
In comparison, Holmes said the Katy Freeway project currently under construction is a mere $2.7 billion.
"While the Grand Parkway project is being built, Fort Bend County will double, or even triple in population," Holmes said, "so I'm pushing hard to get this project moving.
"Time is not on our side," he continued. "The longer a project is delayed, the more it will cost, and as people move into the county, more traffic problems will occur."
Funding the Grand Parkway project will be impossible to do given the funding available to TxDOT, Holmes said. "It is unlikely the state will increase the gas tax, which means there won't be increased funding to TxDOT," Holmes said.
"Tolling virtually every part of the Grand Parkway will be the only way to get this built without more funding," he added, "but it's better than raising the gas tax, which would be an involuntary contribution to building roadways. At least, if you use the Grand Parkway, it will be voluntary, and those who use it will be paying for it."
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