Multimodal transportation programs

The UTP provides funding for a variety of multimodal transportation programs, administered by a range of divisions and committees across TxDOT. These programs include:

• Public Transportation: Planning, coordinating, funding, and providing technical assistance to support and integrate transit, bicycle and pedestrian programs and projects as part of the state’s multimodal transportation system.
• Maritime: Incorporating the Texas maritime transportation system into TxDOT planning processes and improving the infrastructure, connectivity, federally-authorized ship channels, and economic growth opportunities of Texas ports and waterways through financial assistance.
• Aviation: Engineering, technical and financial assistance to Texas communities for planning, programming, constructing and maintaining airports.
• Rail: Facilitating the development, improvement and maintenance of the state's freight and passenger rail system and its intermodal capabilities.
• Freight, Trade and Connectivity: Integrating multimodal freight, international trade and corridor planning into TxDOT's statewide planning and project developement processes.

The TxDOT Public Transportation Division (PTN) works to provide a safe and reliable network of transportation options for people who use alternatives to driving alone. PTN coordinates district and statewide transit and active transportation planning efforts to improve access, safety, and connectivity for people who use these modes. The division provides financial, technical and coordination assistance to the state's rural and urban public transit programs and for the Transportation Alternatives program which funds bicycle and pedestrian projects.

PTN supports the work of the Public Transportation Advisory Committee (PTAC) and the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). The PTAC is a nine-member committee that advises TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Commission on matters related to public transportation. PTAC responsibilities are stated in Chapter 455 of the Texas Transportation Code. The BPAC is an eleven-member committee that advises TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Commission on matters related to bicycle and pedestrian issues. BPAC responsibilities are stated in Chapter 43 of the Texas Administrative Code.

Programs and funding

Transit Grants Programs

TxDOT's Public Transportation Division administers state and Federal Transit Administration transit grant programs. These grants are for specific purposes, have separate eligibility and funding requirements, and are either formula or competitive funding. The Public Transportation Division requests applications for specific grant funding sources through calls for projects. Additionally, PTN also administers a Transit Technical Services Program which provides focused technical assistance to Rural Transit Districts (RTD) and state funded Urban Transit Districts (UTD).

For more information, visit Public Transportation Forms and Publications.

Active Transportation (Bicycle and Pedestrian) Program

TxDOT’s Public Transportation Division coordinates bicycle and pedestrian programs, also known as active transportation. The Division works closely with TxDOT Districts on regional and statewide planning efforts, coordinates with TxDOT Divisions on long-range and safety planning, and delivers training and best practices to agency staff. TxDOT also administers the federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) funding program, expanding transportation choices and enhancing active transportation infrastructure through locally driven planning and projects.  It is important to note that bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is not limited to TA Program funding (Category 9) but is eligible for all other transportation funding categories as well.

Transportation Alternatives Set-aside (TA) Program

TxDOT-PTN administers federal TA funding to plan and construct locally sponsored alternative transportation projects statewide, including ADA/pedestrian infrastructure, on- and off-street bikeways, shared-use paths, and active transportation planning documents. These projects improve accessibility, safety, and mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists and mitigate congestion by providing safe alternatives to motor vehicle transport in communities across the state. In large urbanized areas with populations over 200,000, TA funds are also distributed directly to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to deliver bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in their respective areas. As part of the TA Program, PTN provides technical assistance to improve accessibility of the funds to project sponsors and, once awarded, facilitate project delivery to meet the goal of efficient and effective utilization of TA funds.

Texas waterways and seaports are critical components of the transportation system and serve as economic engines for the state. Impressively, ports generate $713.9 billion in economic activity in Texas, account for 28% of the Texas Gross Domestic Product, and support 2.5 million jobs.

Texas seaports have received impressive accolades, including ranking:

• 1st in the country in foreign waterborne tonnage
• 1st in the nation in terms of total waterborne tonnage
• 4th most popular cruise port in the US
• As the largest strategic military port in the country

The TxDOT Maritime Division (MRD) works to support the Texas maritime system by promoting the development of high-value growth and the use of waterborne transportation for freight movement. The division oversees programs which allow for port capital improvements, increase intermodal connectivity of the system and widen and/or deepen federally authorized ship channels, all which are essential to increasing the State's economic competitiveness. To learn more, visit the Maritime Division's project dashboards.

The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) is a critical component of supply chains that largely serve the Texas petrochemical and manufacturing industries used to transport petrochemicals, manufactured goods, and agricultural projects between ports along the coast. This resource adds $77 billion in economic activity in the state annually. The Texas Legislature appropriates funds to support the GIWW. Updated once every two years, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Legislative Report details TxDOT’s role as the non-federal sponsor of the GIWW.

MRD also supports and facilitates the work of the Port Authority Advisory Committee (PAAC). The PAAC is a nine-member committee that advises TxDOT and the Transportation Commission on matters related to maritime transportation. Its responsibilities are laid out in Chapter 55 of the Texas Transportation Code and include the development of the Texas Port Mission Plan, which is updated once every two years.

The Texas Port Mission Plan functions as a needs assessment for the State's maritime system and includes three distinct sections which tie to MRD funding programs:

1. Maritime Infrastructure Report
2. Seaport Connectivity Report
3. Ship Channel Report

The TxDOT Aviation Division (AVN) provides engineering, technical and financial assistance to Texas communities for planning, programming, constructing and maintaining airports. The TxDOT Aviation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is TxDOT’s plan for general aviation airport development in Texas and helps guide the work of AVN. It is a detailed listing of potential projects based on the anticipated funding levels of the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program, the Texas Aviation Facilities Development Program and local match. The Aviation CIP includes all eligible Texas general aviation airports in the Texas Airport System Plan (TASP) that choose to participate in the TASP.

Programs and Funding

By law, TxDOT acts as the agent of the state and sponsor for applying, receiving and disbursing federal funds for the benefit of general aviation airports. Legislation allows state funding assistance on federally funded projects and the state may also fund projects not eligible for federal funding at publicly owned facilities. Additionally, Texas joined the State Block Grant Program in 1996, which is a federal program giving the state the lead in carrying out the Airport Improvement Program for general aviation airports.

Annually, AVN also identifies a program of projects from the Aviation CIP. The admittance of a project in the Aviation CIP is not a commitment for future funding. However, projects in the Aviation CIP are under strong consideration for funding. The Aviation Division will work with sponsors to develop acceptable projects, assuming the projects are consistent with planning and programming standards and priorities.

The TxDOT Rail Division (RRD) facilitates the continuing development, improvement and maintenance of a best-in-class freight and passenger rail system for Texas. The Texas rail network is the largest in the country and serves as a connection between all modes of transportation. Most of the existing rail system is privately owned, so the state’s role is restricted to improving rail transportation options.

The Texas Rail Plan guides the work of RRD by putting forth the state’s vision for the rail system and identifying opportunities for future improvement. The Texas Rail Plan and the work of RRD support TxDOT’s strategic plan goals by working to increase safety, manage system assets, increase mobility and reliability, increase multimodal connectivity and increase economic competitiveness. These goals align with the goals of both the statewide Texas Transportation Plan and the Texas Freight Mobility Plan.

TxDOT has historically used federal grant funds, specific appropriations from the Texas Legislature, private-sector contributions and available planning funds for rail project development and implementation.

The vision of the TxDOT Transportation Planning and Programming Division (TPP) is to facilitate comprehensive and intentional planning and programming that supports delivery of the right projects. Within TPP, the Freight, Trade, and Connectivity (FTC) Section works with local, regional, state, federal and private stakeholders to integrate multimodal freight, international trade and corridor transportation planning into agency and statewide planning, programming, project development and implementation activities. The FTC Section also supports and facilitates the work of the Texas Freight Advisory Committee (TxFAC), the Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC), and the I-27 Advisory Committee.

Freight

A reliable multimodal freight network is critical to Texans because quality of life and economic vitality depends on the daily delivery of millions of tons of goods shipped over the transportation system. The Texas Highway Freight Network connects urban and rural areas and is made up of highways, railroads, ports, waterways, airports and pipelines. More information regarding freight is available through the Freight Planning webpage, which provides on-demand access to the latest version of the Texas Freight Mobility Plan.

Trade

International trade is big business in Texas! Texas’ geographic location makes it a crossroads state and the gateway for North American trade among the nations of Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Mexico is Texas’ largest trading partner and plays a vital role in the Texas and global economies with roughly 70% of all U.S.-Mexico trade passing through Texas. Texas has 28 border crossings, more than any other U.S. state. More information about international trade, including the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan, can be found at the International Trade and Border Planning page.

Connectivity

TxDOT’s corridor planning involves the comprehensive analysis of a transportation corridor from a multimodal approach. We are preparing the state system for the future, with a focus on the long-range horizon through an analysis of the economic, demographic, and social characteristics of communities within our transportation corridors. These planning activities ultimately lead to the development of statewide corridor master plans used to identify and prioritize improvements that will enhance people and goods mobility across all modes. Texas has three corridors designated as future interstates that include I-69, I-14, and I-27. Texas is the state with the most miles of the interstate highway system with over 3,400 centerline miles in Texas. When constructed, the three future interstates will relieve urban-area congestion by directing traffic on safer long-distance routes and double the current mileage of the interstate highway system in Texas. More information is available through the Corridor Planning webpage, including completed studies of statewide importance and future interstate implementation plans.

National Highway Freight Program

The federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act created the $10.8 billion National Highway Freight Program in 2015 to improve freight movement efficiency nationwide. To be eligible for program funding, a state must have a freight plan in place that must identify projects that contribute to the efficient movement of freight that are located on the Federal Highway Administration-designated National Highway Freight Network. The Texas Freight Advisory Committee advises TxDOT on freight issues, projects, and funding needs for freight improvements. By advising TxDOT on these items, the Texas Freight Advisory Committee helps elevate freight transportation as a critical component of the state's economic vitality and competitiveness.

Border State Infrastructure Funding

At the direction of the Texas Legislature, TxDOT provides additional district discretionary funds for improvements designed to facilitate traffic related to motor vehicles, cargo and rail and improve the efficiency of border inspection and security processes at land ports of entry located near the Texas-Mexico border, as well as to fund projects recommended to the Texas Transportation Commission by the Border Trade Advisory Committee.