Usage Key to Program Renewal
Northeast Andrews County has suffered fire damage over the years resulting in burned out brush and grass and exposed sand. The county experiences a great deal of wind, which mixes the sand with the caliche shoulders, explained Andrews County Commissioner Jeanene Anderegg. Over time, the caliche is lost. “Hauling out the sand and replacing it with good material is not only time consuming, but also costly,” Anderegg continued. Andrews County received $5,947,979 from the County Transportation Infrastructure Fund Grant Program (CTIF) authorized by the 86th Texas Legislature. The county used CTIF funds to help refurbish the shoulders affected by the fires.
CTIF provides 80/20 grant funding for county road repair grants utilizing a distribution formula designed to address oil and gas production damage. Under the current appropriation, 216 counties have had access to $250 million in funding.
According to the latest TxDOT Monthly Expense Report, approximately $35.9 million of the $250 million awarded remains unspent. Andrews County has used its full allotment.
“Counties should make every effort to utilize these funds as soon as possible to encourage the legislature to renew the funding for the program,” urged CJCAT Program Director Rick Thompson. All CTIF funds must be spent by June 24, 2025.
“It is difficult to approach members of the legislature for more money if we cannot use what has already been appropriated for this purpose,” observed De Witt County Judge Daryl Fowler. “It is even more difficult to advance an initiative for a permanent funding solution to road damages caused by oil and gas operations if energy sector counties cannot use what has been appropriated.
Counties may revise their respective project lists from time to time if needed.
“You may work with your TxDOT district engineer to make any project changes,” Thompson specified.
To obtain a copy of your county’s current CTIF 2020 project list, please email CTIF2020@txdot.gov. The most recent project list will be provided in response to a request.
The latest comprehensive report listing all counties is available at: https://www.txdot.gov/content/dam/docs/tpd/2020-reimbursements.pdf.