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Policy committee delays UPWP amendment after debate over corridor and freight studies
Summary
After debate over removing FM 179 and Alcove corridor studies and folding a small freight study into a new travel‑demand model, the committee voted to postpone Amendment No. 4 to the FY25–26 UPWP until Aug. 18 so staff and TAC can refine scope and funding rollovers.
Kristin Lucero presented Amendment No. 4 to the FY25–26 Unified Planning Work Program, proposing to remove tasks 5.2 (PS&E Alcove), 5.3 (FM 179 corridor study) and 5.6 (a preliminary freight study) and reallocate those dollars to validate core datasets and support the regional travel forecast (phase 2).
Lucero told the committee the proposed changes are net-zero — no additional funding is requested — and that the small $9,000 freight study was intended only to scope freight contributions before folding freight modeling into the new transportation demand model. Several committee members pushed back, arguing the written language was too general and that removing corridor studies could short‑circuit needed long-range work on Alcove and FM 179.
Committee member (S6) said he remained uncomfortable with language that could be read as abandoning broader corridor work; Lucero responded staff could either keep 5.2 and 5.3 intact or remove 5.6 and carry the others forward into the next UPWP cycle with formal amendment language.
Chair (S2) moved to postpone formal consideration of Amendment No. 4 until the committee’s Aug. 18 meeting so staff and the TAC can refine scope, carryover language and dollar amounts. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Lucero said staff will prepare amendment language and return with a recommended scope and any necessary budget rollovers.
