Policy board approves MTP, 10-year plan and TIP amendments to add two TxDOT projects and airport TIFIA entry

The Abilene Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board on Monday approved matching amendments to its Metropolitan Transportation Plan, its 10-year plan and its Transportation Improvement Program to add two Texas Department of Transportation projects and to list the Abilene Regional Airport terminal project for federal TIFIA consideration.

The board approved the MTP amendment after a public hearing and a motion from the board; the same action carried for the 10‑year plan and the TIP. The amendments add a request for MPO Category 2 funding of $3,000,000 toward an FM 1750 expansion project and $13,000,000 toward the Maple Street bridge/loop project, and place the airport terminal project into the TIP to permit a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan evaluation.

Why it matters: adding projects to the MTP is the first step before they can be programmed into the TIP and receive federal recognition; listing the airport terminal in the TIP is required to qualify the $20,000,000 terminal project for a TIFIA reduced‑cost loan, which could affect the city’s choice between TIFIA financing and the $20,000,000 bond voters approved.

Details of the added projects and financing requests were presented by TxDOT and City of Abilene staff. Billy Dezerne, district planner for TxDOT Abilene, described the FM 1750 work as a multi‑fund safety and expansion project that includes replacement and elevation of the Maple Street bridge and pedestrian connectivity across the structure. Dezerne said, “we're requesting some MPO cat 2 funds to go on this project,” and noted existing HSIP and state safety funds are already committed.

Don Green, director of transportation services for the City of Abilene, explained the airport action: the city’s voters approved a $20,000,000 bond this spring to fund a new terminal and the city wants the TIP entry so it can compare that bond financing to a possible TIFIA reduced‑cost loan. Green said, “That was a $20,000,000 bond that was approved by the citizens. And we want to be able to look at the possibility of using TIFIA as a reduced way of financing that $20,000,000 as opposed to the bond.” He said listing the project in the TIP is a USDOT requirement to pursue TIFIA eligibility.

Board materials note the TAC recommended approval of the amendments at its July meeting. The MPO staff also updated MTP and plan cover sheets, project listings and to align project identifiers with TxDOT’s Connect system. Staff said the TAC recommended changes were reflected in the redlined packet given to board members.

What the votes did not decide: The board’s votes added the projects to MPO planning documents and placed the airport project into the TIP; the board did not adopt a financing decision for the airport terminal (bond vs. TIFIA). Any final financing decision or bond/TIFIA terms would be a separate city action.

Public comment: the items were subject to public hearings; no members of the public spoke during the hearings on these items.

What’s next: with the MTP and 10‑year plan amended, staff will process the corresponding TIP changes with TxDOT and USDOT to enable future programming, bidding and (for the airport) evaluation of financing alternatives.