TxDOT Mission

Work with others to provide safe and reliable transportation solutions for Texas.

TxDOT Goals

• Maintain a safe system
• Address congestion
• Connect Texas communities
• Best-in-class state agency

TxDOT Values

• Trust
• Integrity
• Responsibility
• Excellence
• Service

In this issue

• Faces of Drunk Driving
• Transportation Commission Actions
• Drive Clean Across Texas Sweepstakes
• TxDOT Worker Killed in Hit-And-Run Crash
• Ten Communities Honored by Keep Texas Beautiful
• Check Road Conditions
• TxDOT Podcast: July Fourth DWI Crackdown
• TN Online

Unsubscribe

Contact Us

Follow Us

July 1, 2013

Here's our roundup of Texas Department of Transportation news and events. If you have any questions, comments or just want to know more about something you read here, send a message to AskTxDOT@txdot.gov.

Faces of Drunk Driving

In an effort to curb alcohol-related crashes and save lives, the Texas Department of Public Safety has stepped up statewide patrols during the 10-day Fourth of July holiday period that began June 28 and runs through July 7. The increased patrols are funded through a TxDOT grant. Independence Day traditionally ranks among the deadliest holiday periods on Texas highways, and last year was no exception with 133 alcohol-related crashes. For information about finding a sober ride home, visit www.soberrides.org.

To highlight the importance of the July Fourth anti-drunk driving effort, TxDOT recently unveiled its updated “Faces of Drunk Driving” website with new stories illustrating the human impact of drunk driving. The latest campaign features 9-year-old Xitclalli “Chilli” Vasquez, who was paralyzed from the chest down after being hit by a drunk driver in Fort Worth on July 9, 2011. Also sharing their story is the family of Aaron Pennywell, 20, who was killed by a drunk driver two years ago in Cypress. Through July 9, TxDOT will host “Faces of Drunk Driving” events across the state, urging motorists to be smart and drive sober.

View stories »

Back to top

Transportation Commission Actions

The Texas Transportation Commission convened for its regular monthly meeting on June 27 and took the following actions:

• Approved updates to the 2013 Unified Transportation Program.

• Authorized the issuance of a request for qualifications for the development, design, construction and maintenance of the Loop 375 Border Highway West Extension Project in El Paso County.

• Approved prohibiting the use of bicycles on limited-access or controlled-access TxDOT toll roads.

Read more »

Back to top

Drive Clean Across Texas Sweepstakes

Don’t miss your chance to win a brand-new Ford Fusion Hybrid. Enter the “Drive Clean Across Texas” sweepstakes today! The deadline for entering is Sept. 15. The statewide public outreach and education campaign encourages motorists to make cost-saving, no-cost and low-cost changes in their driving and vehicle maintenance behaviors to reduce harmful vehicle emissions — a major contributor to air pollution. The low-emission, gas-saving 2013 Fusion Hybrid car is sponsored by the Dallas Cowboys Football Club. The winner will be announced at Cowboys Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Back to top

TxDOT Worker Killed in Hit-And-Run Crash

TxDOT lost a valued family member on June 25. Ciro Lozano, an El Paso District employee, was struck and killed by a motorist while performing maintenance work on US 54. Lozano, 41, began his TxDOT career in 2006 and was a general technician in our West El Paso Maintenance Section. He is survived by his wife and four children. The El Paso Police Department has made an arrest in the hit-and-run crash that killed Lozano. TxDOT reminds drivers to slow down, stay alert and observe traffic signs when approaching work zones.

Back to top

Ten Communities Honored by Keep Texas Beautiful

Texas Transportation Commissioner Fred Underwood presents the 2013 Governor’s Community Achievement Awards at the 46th Annual Keep Texas Beautiful Conference in San Antonio.

Ten communities ─ Collinsville, Port Aransas, Graham, Katy, Alvin, Copperas Cove, Grapevine, Longview, Midland and Austin ─ were recently honored at the 46th Annual Keep Texas Beautiful Conference in San Antonio. They are winners of the 2013 Governor's Community Achievement Awards, which recognize the best grassroots environmental programs in the state. The communities were selected by a panel of judges to share a $2 million TxDOT grant for landscaping projects along local rights of way in their areas.

Back to top

Check Road Conditions

If you're planning a Texas road trip this upcoming July Fourth weekend, remember that road conditions can change quickly due to the weather, construction and natural disasters. TxDOT keeps you up-to-date on road conditions in your area and throughout the state. Call us toll-free at (800) 452-9292 for current road conditions or view road conditions at DriveTexas® .

Back to top

TxDOT Podcast: July Fourth DWI Crackdown

The weekly TxDOT Podcast keeps you updated on the latest transportation news and issues. New episodes are published every Friday on the TxDOT website, www.txdot.gov.

With July Fourth just around the corner, chances are, your holiday plans include packing the family car and hitting the road — where, as Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Lonny Haschel reminds us in this week’s episode, you’ll be under the watchful eyes of the Texas highway patrol. Episodes are also available on iTunes.

Listen to Podcast »

Back to top

TN Online

Read the latest issue of TN, TxDOT’s bimonthly newsletter for employees »

All inquiries may be directed to AskTxDOT@txdot.gov.