Regional transportation update: Mobility 2050 approved; members debate DART funding and possible withdrawal elections

Commissioner Matt Webb reported to Collin County Commissioners Court that the regional council approved Mobility 2050, the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ transportation plan that governs which regional projects can be built.

"If it isn't in that plan, you probably aren't going to get to build it, in the region," Webb said, urging officials and citizens to review the plan and its maps. He said the plan is updated every five years and contains updated population and congestion projections for the region.

Webb said the regional meeting also featured a lengthy, primarily philosophical discussion about the financial structure of Dallas Area Rapid Transit and a slate of legislative proposals that did not pass. He said some cities served by DART may hold withdrawal elections next year and that the council spent substantial time discussing how the region should respond if cities choose to withdraw from the transit authority. "It's a very contentious discussion because, again, you've got members, nonmembers... You got people who support DART, people who don't support DART," Webb said.

Webb told the court the region must consider leadership options in the next six to 10 months because several member cities could face withdrawal votes in 2026. He said most population growth in the region is occurring outside of transit cities and that the council is debating how to provide mobility in those rapidly growing areas.

Webb invited questions from the court; none were recorded in the public transcript.