The top local stories this morning from KERA News: The Texas Transportation Commission is figuring out how to distribute $1.3 billion – money made possible by constitutional amendments voters approved over the last two years.
Transportation Commissioner J. Bruce Bugg says the money comes at a crucial time.
“Some of the connectors need to desperately change because the populations have changed,” he said. “That can be a big relief on congestion.”
That congestion costs Dallas and Fort Worth drivers almost $1,200 a year, according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
Money from the state amendments can’t be used for buses or trains.
However, Bugg says public transit’s still an option, through money from the federal government.
A Brookings Institution study last year found DFW drivers tie with Houston for the second longest commute among U.S. metro areas.
Other stories this morning:
- Irving mayor Beth Van Duyne steered clear of mentioning some of her cities more controversial moments in her State of the City address last night.
- Each year, thousands of women, men, and children are trafficked through Texas. When some victims walk into hospitals and physicians’ offices, some doctors see these visits as an opportunity to help them escape.
You can hear North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM.