North Texas leaders want input on transit, traffic signals. Here’s how to participate
The intersection of University Drive and Old University Drive, pictured in December 2023, sees cars backed up at this traffic signal all hours of the day as the two streets undergo a $13 million upgrade. (Matthew Sgroi | Fort Worth Report)
” data-medium-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_9715.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_9715.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1″ tabindex=”0″ role=”button”>Public input is sought on North Texas transit-related initiatives, including infrastructure funding, at a meeting to be held in Arlington.The North Central Texas Council of Governments will host a meeting at noon Oct. 15 at the agency’s offices at 616 Six Flags Drive in Arlington. Agency leaders will present an overview of the Blue-Green-Grey call for projects. Those projects, identified by purpose with a color, include innovative initiatives that integrate water management (blue), environmental consideration (green) and transportation infrastructure (grey). Funding recommendations and an outline of project next steps will be included, according to a news release.Michael Morris, director of transportation for the council of governments and staff director to the Regional Transportation Council, has said that a strategic review of public transportation authorities is underway as part of the Transit 2.0 initiative. “This initiative lays out a series of tasks to reimagine what our public transportation system will look like in a quarter-century,” Morris wrote in a commentary published in the Fort Worth Report in July. “One of these tasks involves increased density around existing rail stations.” He advocates transit-oriented residential-retail developments, denser housing in cities and suburban areas, affordable housing solutions, and stronger integration of pedestrian and bicycle pathways to connect cities.At the Oct. 15 meeting, council staff will also discuss the Regional Parking Management Toolbox and Database, a regional initiative that helps cities manage parking more efficiently to promote sustainable land use.The agency has collected an inventory of the region’s estimated 7,000 traffic signals to help partners develop a minimum standard for all equipment. The agency’s Regional Transportation Council, an independent policy group made up of elected and appointed leaders, set aside funding to replace some equipment that doesn’t meet local standards. Council of governments staff will present their strategic process to replace the equipment based on its limited funding.Comments on transportation planning initiatives will be accepted through Nov. 13.Public transit options are available for people to get to the meeting. Residents can take the Trinity Railway Express to the CentrePort/DFW Airport Station in far east Fort Worth, an area of the city north of Arlington. From there, they can use Arlington’s rideshare on-demand program — available at arlingtontx.gov/ondemand — to reach the agency office. For special accommodations related to disabilities or language interpretation, call 817-608-2365 or email CBaylor@nctcog.org.The meeting will also be livestreamed. Participants can also join the discussion by calling 855-925-2801 and entering code 10502. Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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