3. Phase 1 of Westpark Tollway extension/FM 1093 widening
Grand Parkway Segment C-1t[/caption]
FM 1093 will become concrete-paved, two-lane frontage roads in each direction on each side of the Westpark Tollway, extending to west of Spring Green Boulevard. The Westpark Tollway is being extended 2.3 miles west from its existing end point at the Grand Parkway and will be four lanes of concrete-paved highway with two lanes in each direction. An overpass will be built above the intersection of Katy-Gaston Road and Spring Green Boulevard.
Timeline: February 2016-February 2018 Cost: $63.9 million Funding sources: Fort Bend County Assistance District 1, Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority, Emergency Services District 100, Texas Department of Transportation
4. Grand Parkway Segment C-1t
Grand Parkway Segment C-1 is complete. Segment C-1 includes a three-quarter-mile feeder road of three southbound lanes. The new southbound lanes expanded Crabb River Road, and its existing lanes were made into northbound lanes. A traffic signal was also installed at the intersection with Sansbury Boulevard. Segment C-1 is the first feeder road of Grand Parkway Segment C, which is a 26-mile portion of the Grand Parkway planned to span from Hwy. 59 to Hwy. 288.
Timeline: March-October Cost: $5.6 million Funding sources: Fort Bend County Grand Parkway Toll Authority
How it works: Why is there a State Highway Fund shortfall?
In Texas, funding for new roads and maintenance comes from a number of sources, including fuel tax revenue and vehicle registration fees, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. This revenue makes up the State Highway Fund—the fund TxDOT uses to pay for existing and new roadways.
However, because state and federal fuel taxes have not been raised since the early 1990s, revenue from these sources has remained steady while road construction costs have increased.
Each year, Texas has a $5 billion shortfall for road maintenance and mobility improvements, according to TxDOT.
In 2014 and 2015, Texas voters approved propositions 1 and 7, respectively, measures to transfer taxes paid by oil and gas production companies and general sales tax revenue from the state into the State Highway Fund. It is estimated the measures will transfer at least $4.2 billion annually to the fund, beginning with the 2017-18 fiscal year.
To bridge the rest of the gap, TxDOT and state legislators are considering other revenue sources in this upcoming legislative session, such as increasing the fuel tax or partnering with private entities.
