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A group of Rockwall County residents from the cities of Fate, Heath, McLendon Chisholm, Rockwall, Royse City and Rowlett have come together to promote a bond that will help improve mobility throughout the county and provide future opportunities to relieve congestion for local and traveling motorists. "Building Better Roads Committee" is promoting a bond program for $100 million that will initially help improve four major roadways that link the county and greatly affect traffic flow. Monies from the bond will be used to leverage additional state and federal funding to total the $310 million estimated cost for the four roadways. The improvements will include widening efforts for SH 66, FM 740, SH 276, and FM 549. Rockwall County has worked closely with TxDOT, NCTCOG and each city within the county to prioritize these main north/south and east/west thoroughfares. These arteries are vital to ensuring that traffic will flow throughout the county and that residents will maintain their quality of life.

"Rockwall County competes with other counties in the region for limited transportation dollars. Our county is in a region that includes Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties," said Commissioner Lorie Grinnan. "There is no question that our county has to be proactive in seeking solutions for our growing traffic and congestion issues," said Grinnan.

Currently, Rockwall County is the fastest growing county in Texas and the third fastest growing county in the nation, with an estimated build out population of 250,000 by 2030. "As money becomes available through state and federal sources, the county must be prepared to push these projects as a priority for our region and use existing local funding to help expedite the needed roadway improvements. As it stands, regional funding requires local government financial participation," said Grinnan.

Federal and state funding for new roadway is falling. Without financial participation by Rockwall County, residents will have to wait in traffic for 20 years before funding becomes available for the projects in the region.

"The State’s funding crisis means that county residents will either choose to sit in traffic for the next 20 to 30 years or take action to improve the situation now before it gets worse," said Kevin Fowler, Committee Chair for the Building Better Roads Citizens Committee. "We can not afford to wait for the situation to get worse before we act. The Building Better Roads Committee needs the help of all Rockwall County residents to support the bond initiative on November 4. By voting "Yes", residents are taking a proactive step to improve our current traffic situation," Fowler said.

In 2003, the Rockwall County Commissioners Court decided to strengthen the County’s position with TxDOT and the Regional Transportation Commission by inviting all the cities to work together with the county. The 2004 Bond Program included funding for interchanges on IH30 at FM 205, FM 549, FM 551, and Hickory Hill, and FM 740 totaling $17 million. To date, Rockwall County has leveraged $8.5 million in county funds for $40 million from federal and state sources.

The proposed bond initiative focuses on capacity for four major roadways that move the majority of traffic throughout the county. "Taxpayers want to know how this will impact the tax rate," said Fowler. "The worst-case scenario is an increase of approximately $4.75 per month on the average home valued at $190,000. There is strong possibility that, with the county’s explosive growth rate, the impact to the taxpayer will be much less. The Building Better Roads Committee believes that this minimal cost more than offsets the frustration we now have sitting in traffic. By voting "Yes", we will be able to improve our air quality by reducing emissions, improve safety and promote a strong economy," said Fowler. "This is a combined effort which includes several cities working together to achieve a stronger voice for Rockwall County as well as increase the share of transportation dollars sent to our region. We are asking the residents of Rockwall County to join us in this effort to build better roads for our future. Vote "Yes" to the bond initiative," Fowler said.

For more information about the Road Bond Initiative, please visit the Website at www.buildingbetterroads.com.