A price of $313 billion to get Texas’ highway system through the next 22 years? Texas Transportation Commission member, and Houston Astros owner, Drayton McLane, joked that he hadn’t seen numbers so high since he was trying to recruit a pitcher.

Nevertheless, it’s what some experts say Texas must spend by 2030 to keep traffic moving quickly and efficiently.

The $313 billion estimate takes into account increased population and inflation in construction materials and labor costs, according to Dr. Michael Walton, a University of Texas engineering professor who directed a study by the 12-member 2030 Committee.

 The Transportation Commission met Wednesday to hear the committee’s sobering forecast, arrived at after public hearings in six major cities.

 Walton broke down the cost at $36 billion (or $1.6 billion annually) for bridge repairs; $89 billion (or $4 billion annually) for pavement for the state’s road construction and maintenance projects;  and $171 billion (or $7.8 billion annually) for  urban mobility and other anti-congestion measures.

Texas Transportation department (TxDOT) executive director Amadeo Saenz said about $250 million is spent per year on bridges across the state.

“So [four times that] to cover just between now and 2012,” said TTC member Ted Houghton.

The committee called for replacing existing, structurally deficient bridges for load only by 2012, and for eliminating all structurally deficient bridges by 2030, as well as increasing inspection and maintenance activity on them.

The committee further recommended investment in other transportation options, including freight rail, intercity passenger rail, ports and waterways, public transportation such as buses, and airports.

Walton suggested that without increased road funding Texas could fall behind other states in competitiveness. The committee did not suggest a new funding method or source.

“All I ask is that you don’t shoot the messenger,” Walton said, while closing his binder and meeting laughter.

“I appreciate the time and energy members of the 2030 Committee put into developing their independent report on Texas transportation needs,” said Transportation commission chairwoman Deirdre Delisi,  in a statement.  

“It is my hope that,” she continued, “once finalized, this report can serve as a continuation of our discussion with state and local leaders. We clearly face a tough challenge in providing the transportation system Texans deserve and expect over the coming decades. By fostering open, communicative and collaborative relationships with leaders across the state, TxDOT can work with local and state governments to identify, finance and implement the innovative solutions required to meet such challenges head-on.”

The TTC also heard a report from the Joint Texas Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) of TxDOT, an update on the Urban Thoroughfare Team, and a report on the Sunset Advisory Panel’s transportation department recommendations (see related story on the Sunset review in the present issue).

The MPO report called for a “more consistent method” of raising funds to relieve urban congestion and to prepare for population growth from 20.9 million today to 36.3 million by 2030 — roughly 2 percent more people per year.  The report also took into consideration greater fuel efficiency, from a present average of 17 mpg to 35 mpg by 2030, and a highway construction cost increase by 69 percent between 1997 and 2002.

TTC members discussed briefly the possibility of a vehicle mileage tax (VMT), similar to one  in Oregon — whereby a global positioning system in each car calculates how many miles a vehicle has driven,  then taxes the vehicle owner accordingly, whether periodically by mail or at the time of inspection.

 The TTC did not specifically advocate the use of a VMT system but seemed to take the suggestion seriously by requesting further study on the high-tech taxation method.

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