Texas Department of Transportation

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Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT)
Type Government agency
Founded 1917
Headquarters Austin, Texas

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT , pronounced "tex-dot") is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Texas. Its stated mission is to "work cooperatively to provide safe, effective and efficient movement of people and goods"[1] throughout the state. Though the public face of the agency is generally associated with the construction and maintenance of the state's immense highway system (every mile of which is paved), the agency is also responsible for overseeing aviation[2], rail[3], and public transportation[4] systems in the state.

TxDOT also administers vehicle registration.[5]

Contents

[edit] History

The Texas Legislature created the Texas Highway Department in 1917 to administer federal highway construction and maintenance. In 1975, its responsibilities increased when the agency merged with the Texas Mass Transportation Commission, to form the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation.

In 1986 the department started using Don't Mess with Texas as its slogan to reduce littering on Texas roadways, as part of a statewide advertising campaign. The phrase was prominently shown on road signs on major highways, as well as in television, radio and print advertisements. The slogan is still in use and remains very popular.

In 1991, the Legislature combined the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, the Department of Aviation and the Texas Motor Vehicle Commission to create the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

[edit] Administration

The executive director (currently Amadeo Saenz) is assisted by one deputy director (currently Steven E. Simmons), and two assistant executive directors. The department is organized into 25 geographical districts, 21 topical divisions, and 5 offices.

[edit] Districts

Due to Texas' sheer size and widely varying climate, soil conditions, and differing needs of local populations, the department conducts its primary activities in 25 geographical districts. Each district, managed by a district engineer, is responsible for the design, location, construction and maintenance of its area transportation systems. Local field offices within districts are known as area offices, and many districts also have separate maintenance offices, usually on a county-by-county basis. Functional divisions and offices headquartered in Austin provide administrative and technical support to the districts.

[edit] Divisions

  • Aviation
  • Bridge
  • Construction
  • Design
  • Environmental
  • Finance
  • General Services
  • Government & Business Enterprises
  • Human Resources
  • Information Systems
  • Maintenance
  • Motor Carrier
  • Motor Vehicle
  • Occupational Safety
  • Public Transportation
  • Right of Way
  • Traffic Operations
  • Transportation Planning & Programming
  • Travel
  • Turnpike Authority Division
  • Vehicle Titles & Registration

[edit] Offices

  • Business Opportunity Program
  • Civil Rights
  • General Counsel
  • International Relations
  • Research and Technology Implementation

[edit] Publications

Every month, TxDOT publishes Texas Highways, a magazine aimed at showcasing various aspects of the state, often by providing interesting travel information on a specific stretch of highway (or highways) in the state.

HORIZON[5] is a quarterly journal focusing on transportation policy issues and financing in particular.

TxDOT has also produced a weekly podcast focusing on transportation planning and the Trans-Texas Corridor hosted by public information officer Larry Krantz since December 2007.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Mission and Vision" TxDOT website [1] Accessed 28 April 2007
  2. ^ "Aviation Division" TxDOT website [2] Accessed 28 April 2007
  3. ^ "Rail Safety Inspection Program" TxDOT website [3] Accessed 28 April 2007
  4. ^ "Public Transportation Division" TxDOT website [4] Accessed 28 April 2007
  5. ^ Vehicle Registration

[edit] External links