May 25, 2016 5:21 PM

Lawmakers still dissatisfied with lengthy delays around utility relocations

Lack of coordination between TxDOT and utilities presents conundrum – only so many resources can be brought to bear on specialized infrastructure

The Texas Department of Transportation has made some effort to address the extensive utility relocation delays that have plagued recent road projects, but not enough to satisfy Chair Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, and the House Transportation Committee.

Utility relocations were front and center during an interim hearing last August, a hearing that noted TxDOT spent almost $30 million due to right-of-way relocation delays. This morning, Randy Hopmann, director of TxDOT Operations, told the committee the agency had issued guidance, encouraged regular utility relocation meetings and urged district engineers to forgo letting construction contracts until right-of-issues are cleared.

“We’ve come to a general understanding with our utilities that the taxpayers of Texas are both our customers,” Hopmann told the committee. “With that common ground in place, I think we can work better together to achieve the overall goal, and we believe we will able to save money on the back end.”

By Kimberly Reeves