Monday Morning Report
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Notice of Request for Proposals (RFP): The Austin-San Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District (Rail District) is seeking proposals from professional firms to provide the Rail District with branding services to establish the Rail District’s identity and communicate its purpose and function. The RFP is available on the Rail District website (www.asarail.org). Responses to the RFP must be received by the Rail District no later than 3:00 p.m. on July 23, 2008 to be considered.
Infrastructure
If 25% of the nation's freight volume is shifted from truck to rail by 2026, commuting motorists could save an average of $985 in fuel costs annually because they would spend less time on gridlocked highways, says the Congestion Relief Index, a study of traffic congestion in 82 major urban areas. "Because one intermodal train can take nearly 300 trucks off our highways, shifting freight from trucks to trains reduces competition... for space on the road," said Wendell Cox, the study's author. Details.
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff & San Antonio mayor Phil Hardberger have appointed a task force to examine all arenas of Alamo City transportation options. Members include former TxDOT chairwoman Hope Andrade, VIA board members Mary Briseno, James Lifshutz & Rick Pych, and Bill Thornton, chair of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority. Reports will be posted at www.bexar.org; first meeting in July.
San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit president, John Milam, will retire Jan. 1. Milam started with VIA's predecessor, the San Antonio Transit System, in 1974 as the senior accountant. After a series of promotions, he was named acting general manager in 1992 and given the permanent job the next year. His title changed to president in 2002.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will give a mid-summer update on US Congressional activity on commerce, transportation, and military affairs next month in San Antonio. The luncheon, sponsored by the SAT Chamber of Commerce, is at the Marriott Riverwalk Hotel on August 1, 12:00-1:00. Register to attend here.
If you are following the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission's oversight of TxDOT you may want to mark Tuesday, July 15 on the calendar: that's when the Commission next addresses the agency's management issues with staff presentations and public testimony. It's at the Capitol in Austin, Room E1.030, beginning at 9:00 am. Agenda here.
San Marcos mayor Susan Narvaiz announced last week that she will be seeking a third two-year term. She was first elected in 2004 and ran unopposed in 2006. Details on the announcement are here.
Economic Development
Transportation between the US NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico was 14.3 percent higher in April 2008 than in April 2007, reaching $74.3 billion, the highest monthly level ever recorded. Details here. More information on transborder freight data and data from previous months are posted on the BTS website at here.
TXDOT has a job opportunity for a policy analyst, details here. You are encouraged to apply on-line at http://www.txdot.gov/careers/apply_online.htm. You may also apply at the nearest TxDOT Human Resources office as list on the application instruction sheet between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Call 512-416-2994 for more information.
Each month Hutto community leaders from government, education, and business come together for an informal exchange of information. At this community "Power Breakfast", representatives from the Hutto EDC, City of Hutto, Hutto Chamber of Commerce, Hutto ISD, Williamson County, Hutto Police Department, and Hutto Fire Rescue give a two- to three-minute update on their activities and issues. These "Power Drills" are followed by a featured speaker. Contact Lori Hines at 512- 759-2806 for more information or to sign up.
Plum Creek developers are preparing to unveil the Uptown District, 100 acres of urban development at the northwest corner of Kyle Parkway and Kohler's Crossing. Details here.
"Things are only impossible until they're not."
- Jean-Luc Picard