Texas Lags on Rural Road Investments

State-administered roads in rural parts of Texas have some of the highest speed limits in the state, and see more fatal crashes than urban roads.

2 minute read

September 19, 2022, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Texas-shaped road sign with TEXAS text on rural roadside

Frontpage / Rural Texas road

Reporting for the Houston Chronicle, Dug Begley outlines the plight of Texas’s rural roads, which, “Despite carrying about 21 percent of the state’s daily miles driven, … represent 34 percent of all highway deaths.”

As Begley writes, “In ‘Keeping Rural Texas Connected,’ researchers found that 251 projects to improve highways outside metro and suburban areas were completed since 2015, at a cost of $7.5 billion, and another 127 valued at $7.2 billion are under construction according to the Texas Department of Transportation.” Yet the Texas Trunk System, “the 30-year-old goal state officials set to make sure every area of Texas with a population of more than 20,000 is connected by a safe, four-lane divided road,” is still short $27.8 billion in backlogged projects.

“One of the challenges to garnering support for rural roads,” according to Texas Transportation Commissioner Alvin New, “is that Texas is becoming more urban, but much of its transportation needs remain decidedly rural.”

Begley writes that “Safety advocates argue Texas highway officials must combat one of the most common reasons for severe crashes — excessive speed. As roads are rebuilt and widened, care needs to be made to not enable faster trips that actually increase risk, they say.” As Jay Crossley, executive director of nonprofit Farm & City, puts it, “In rural, suburban, and urban Texas, the facilities designed for the highest speeds are our state on-system roadways, where there are terrible results of someone driving 70 miles an hour every day.”

Thursday, September 15, 2022 in Houston Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Colorful blocky apartment building facade.

Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software

Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.

April 1 - Stateline

Silver electric BMW car parked in driveway of home in Oakland, California.

Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers

Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.

April 1 - City of Oakland

Sculpture of seated Jane Goodall holding hands with chimp on green lawn.

Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action

Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.

April 1 - Pasadena Star-News