\nEnsuring fair-share allocations for road capacity improvements in metropolitan areas and supporting public-private partnerships to advance those.
\nSupporting innovative funding methods to expand rail and transit options in the North Texas region.
\nAdvocating for a portion of the Texas Mobility Fund to pay for regional commuter rail and Class I railroad improvements.
\nSupporting dedicated funding for public transportation and rail programs through a budget rider.
\nCreating a sales tax revenue pilot project to support the region\u2019s Transit 2.0<\/a> plan, which calls for $217 billion on various transportation projects through 2050.
\nProvide tools and\/or funding to aid in supporting transit-oriented developments while allowing cities to maintain local control in decision-making.
\nImproving the safety of the statewide transportation plan, including reductions in aggressive driving, automation of speed enforcement through technology, advancing seat belt enforcement and establishing a framework for regulating high-powered electric mobility devices.
\nProviding counties and cities with expanded tools for land use control to preserve future transportation corridors and safety needs.<\/p>\n
North Texas officials will also provide testimony to legislators upon request to support tolled managed lanes, improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, support high-speed rail development in Texas, retain eminent domain authority in its current state, and support efforts to increase advanced air mobility aircraft and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Michael Morris, North Central Texas Council of Governments transportation director, said local initiatives will include a focus on advancing transit-oriented developments to increase housing density near 80 or more rail stations in North Texas.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/50004.jpeg\")
A TEXRail passenger train crosses Northeast 29th Street near scrap metal recyclers in north Fort Worth. (Eric E. Garcia | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
That goal aligns with efforts by the city of Fort Worth and Trinity Metro transit agency to develop transit developments at TEXRail stations<\/a> south and north of downtown.\u00a0<\/p>\n Morris said council of governments staff determined that TxDOT could save about $36 billion in freeway construction costs if more transit mixed-use projects are advanced in North Texas.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a significant conversation we need to have with Sen. (Tan) Parker,\u201d Morris said, referring to the Flower Mound Republican who chairs the Texas Senate\u2019s transportation committee.<\/p>\n Morris said there are plans to have conversations regarding rail connections between Dallas Area Rapid Transit and Denton County Transportation Authority, the composition of the DART board of directors, and extending the regional GoPass program<\/a> to include paying for microtransit rides for elderly and disabled passengers. Morris said the GoPass expansion could be considered for funding by the Regional Transportation Council.<\/p>\n RTC leaders want to redistribute state transportation funds rather than advocate for new taxes, Morris said. That effort would include getting about $200 million in sales tax revenue returned to the region each year as well as $90 million in one-time air quality funds for North Texas counties. The council would also seek redistribution of TxDOT funds, including $100 million annually from the Texas Mobility Fund and $50 million each year from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.<\/p>\n The council will also seek a budget rider of $100 million annually for regional rail services such as the Heartland Flyer<\/a> train between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n Regional leaders still have time to refine their priorities before they finalize the list, Morris told the group.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything we have is information,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have 30 days to think about this.\u201d<\/p>\n Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n