TxDOT has decided to eliminate funding for trail, beautification and tourist projects, including federal funds distributed by the department. These projects only constituted approximately 2% of the TxDOT budget, but they have now been removed completely, despite the fact that they are mandated by the Transportation Enhancement Program, established by Congress in 1991. TxDOT will spend its entire budget on highway repair and expansion (including ad campaigns).

Local projects that will not be receiving funding include downtown Austin street beautification, the Seaholm district pedestrian/bike network, the Texas 130/Brushy Creek trail, and the Northeast Georgetown trail. Additionally, statewide funds for historic bridge preservation are included in this cut.

TxDOT's official reason for the cut was a 2 percent cut in federal transportation funds. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett seems skeptical: "TxDOT has never liked enhancements; it tried to remove this requirement from recent federal transportation legislation and has now chosen to disregard the intent behind federal transportation funding."

Photo by Ashley Robin on flickr