6 | GLENN HEGAR, TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS Building Strong Infrastructure for a Growing Texas By Kelly Langford and Leticia Torres From public roads to transmission lines, from water pipelines to broadband access, the elements of Texas’ infrastructure are the bones that support its sturdy economy; its pro-business bona fides rely on strong infrastructure to support 30 million (and growing) Texans where they live, work and play. Given the high stakes, state leaders and lawmakers have embraced the challenge of building and maintaining a strong infrastructure. Keeping up with the state’s population growth is a tall order: Six of the fastest-growing cities in the nation last year were in Texas, and the U.S. Census Bureau says the state has grown by more than 9 million people since 2000, doubling the population of 11 counties. The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which issues an Infrastructure Report Card (IRC) every four years, points to the state’s fast growth as putting pressure on already stressed infrastructure. “The latest IRC uncovered an investment gap of tens of billions of dollars needed to address shortfalls for the repair and necessary new construction of highways, bridges, levees, transit, wastewater, drinking water, flood risk and dams,” says Travis Attanasio, ASCE Texas Section president. “Should there be no action, additional untold billions of dollars will be needed … should there be a catastrophic failure of the existing overly strained infrastructure.” The group’s report card checklist also includes aviation, energy, public parks and recreation, and solid waste, but leaves out other areas such as broadband. The 88th Legislature’s access to a historic amount of funds along with some helpful federal dollars through 2021’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) set the stage for improvement. This story explores where some money is headed and what is left for Texas voters to decide. “The latest IRC uncovered an investment gap of tens of billions of dollars needed to address shortfalls for the repair and necessary new construction of highways, bridges, levees, transit, wastewater, drinking water, flood risk and dams.” - Travis Attanasio LAWMAKERS ASK VOTERS TO APPROVE ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING Travis Attanasio, Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers DEALERS’ CHOICE 34
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