Overview
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT, pronounced “tex-dot”) is a state agency responsible for the construction and maintenance of state highways, ensuring safe and efficient travel across Texas. With Texas being the second-largest state in the U.S., TxDOT plays a crucial role in keeping millions of residents and visitors moving smoothly every day.
TxDOT maintains more than 73,000 centerline miles of paved road. When measured in lane miles (the total mileage multiplied by the number of lanes), the network extends to over 180,000 miles. These roads fall into several categories:
- Interstate highways (e.g., I-10, I-35, I-45)
- U.S. highways (e.g., U.S. 59, U.S. 281)
- State highways
- Farm-to-market (FM) and ranch-to-market (RM) roads
- Frontage roads
- Park roads
TxDOT does not maintain city streets or county roads, which fall under local government jurisdictions.
In addition to highways, TxDOT oversees aviation, rail, and public transportation across the state, ensuring a well-connected transportation system.
Funding
The primary source of funding for road building and maintenance comes from the federal government, which collects taxes on motor fuels and redistributes them to states. Texas also allocates a portion of its state taxes on oil and gas production to support highway infrastructure.
Facts About Texas Roads
- Only 26% of Texas roads are state-owned, but they handle 72% of all vehicle miles traveled.
- Each year, TxDOT plants about 30,000 pounds of wildflower seeds along Texas roadways, a tradition dating back to 1934. This program was championed by Lady Bird Johnson, former First Lady of the United States, to preserve the state’s natural beauty. The department delays seasonal mowing until wildflower season is over.
- Road fatalities on Texas roads are extremely common and significantly higher than the national average. From 2015 through 2019, 18,271 people died on Texas’ highways, an average of 3,654 annual fatalities.
- Texas has about 55,000 bridges, with 36,000 maintained by TxDOT and the rest managed by cities and counties.
- TxDOT operates over 6,500 traffic signals statewide to regulate traffic flow.
Organizational Structure
With approximately 12,000 employees, TxDOT is one of the largest state agencies in Texas. The department is divided into 25 geographic districts, each responsible for construction and maintenance in its respective region. Key positions include
TxDOT’s headquarters is in Austin, housed in the Dewitt C. Greer Building at 125 East 11th Street, just across from the Texas Capitol.
A policy-making body, the Texas Transportation Commission, oversees the work of the agency. This five-member board is appointed by the governor and meets monthly.
History
Texas officially established its State Highway Department in 1917, following the passage of the 1916 Federal Highway Act, which provided states with federal funds for road construction. Only states with an official highway department could receive this funding.
Major Historical Milestones
- 1933: TxDOT moved its headquarters to the Dewitt C. Greer Building in Austin.
- 1950s-1970s: Massive interstate expansion, including the construction of I-10, I-35, and I-45.
- 2002: Introduction of the Texas Tollway System, including roads like State Highway 130, designed to ease congestion.
- 2021: Texas became the first state to mandate a study on converting major interstates into autonomous vehicle corridors.
Did You Know?
- The Katy Freeway (I-10 in Houston) is the widest highway in the world, with 26 lanes at its widest point.
- Texas’ first paved road was built in 1918 in Denison.
- Route 66, the legendary “Mother Road,” crosses through Texas for 178 miles, attracting tourists worldwide.
