Transportation

The 12th District of Texas is growing at a very quick pace.  Building and maintaining a strong transportation infrastructure is vital to managing that growth and ensuring the economic development of the district and the entire state.  We need to make sure that the 12th District, the State of Texas, and the entire nation has a transportation infrastructure system in place that is maintained, efficient, and economical.  For those reasons, I have made transportation one of my top priorities.  I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that the 12th District of Texas receives federal assistance to address our infrastructure needs, such as improving Interstate 35W, State Highway 121 and Loop 820, improving rail capabilities and throughways, and expanding D/FW Airport and surrounding municipal airports.

Highways

Texas, like many other states across the country, has experienced massive growth over the years.  That growth means more cars and trucks traveling our highways.  We need more capacity on our roads to safely take us to our destinations.  We also need to ensure this capacity smartly uses resources and space in serving our transportation needs.  Finding ways to build and maintain those highways is going to require a lot of creativity and teamwork between the federal, state, and local governments.

As the Congress begins its work on the highway reauthorization bill, you can be sure that I am committed to doing my part to meet the highway needs of the 12th District – and the nation – in a responsible, sustainable way.

Rail Transportation

With higher gas prices and our highways becoming more and more congested, rail transportation is becoming a more important piece of our nation’s transportation infrastructure.  Rail is an economical, energy efficient, and fuel efficient way to move commodities and other cargo around the country. 

I supported the Amtrak reauthorization bill in 2008 because it will help develop the South Central high speed rail corridor connecting Tulsa and Little Rock with the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex as well as with Austin and San Antonio.

As Congress continues to work to solve transportation issues in Texas and around the country, you can be sure that I believe rail transportation remains an important part of the solution.

Airlines and Air Travel

North Texas is the proud home of the two most dynamic domestic passenger airlines – American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.  We also proudly boast that Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the economic engine for North Texas.  As the former mayor of Fort Worth, I have been closely involved in airport and airline issues for over 15 years. 

American Airlines is strong and delivering its first new airplanes since 2006.  American announced in April that it intends to deliver over 70 Boeing 737s by the end of 2011 as it continues to improve amenities and better serve the traveling public.  Southwest Airlines maintains a positive customer satisfaction rating in 2008.

In my years in Congress, I have worked to improve the safety of air travel for passengers and helped to ensure the many employees – many of whom reside in the 12th District – have the tools they need to perform their duties and help all of us reach our destinations.