Brazos County residents question Innovative Transportation Solutions contract and project timelines

The Brazos County Commissioners Court convened on June 3, 2025, to address several pressing issues, including the status of ongoing transportation projects and the renewal of a controversial contract for Innovative Transportation Solutions (ITS).

The meeting began with a discussion on the timeline for seven transportation projects initially presented in July 2022. Concerns were raised regarding the estimated completion times and the fact that these projects would not run concurrently. One commissioner questioned whether the court had been informed that only four of the seven projects were currently in progress, with the remaining three categorized as future projects. Notably, the Bush Welborn Interchange, which had previously garnered excitement from Judge Peters, is now listed among these future projects.

The commissioner expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding the timeline for these projects, suggesting that the first four could take up to 20 years to complete before the next three would even begin. This raised questions about the management of these projects and how priorities would be set among various counties competing for resources.

Following this discussion, Jody Quimby, a resident of Brazos County, voiced strong opposition to the renewal of the ITS contract. Quimby criticized the practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying, arguing that it unfairly favors certain organizations over others. She highlighted that the ITS contract includes provisions for lobbying activities, which she deemed inappropriate. Quimby urged the court to consider hiring additional staff to handle project management internally rather than relying on an external contractor.

The meeting concluded with a call for greater transparency and accountability in managing transportation projects and the contracts associated with them. The court is expected to deliberate further on these issues in upcoming sessions, with a focus on ensuring that local resources and expertise are utilized effectively.