Houston, Texas (KTRK) – With billions of dollars arriving in Houston to tackle transportation problems, the nation’s top infrastructure leader has paid a visit to see what needs to be addressed.
The US Secretary of Transportation is invited to look into the infrastructure in Houston
In 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure and Jobs Investment Act that allows billions of dollars to be distributed over the next five years.
Before this happened, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson called Lee the US Secretary of Transportation. Pete Buttigieg to Houston.
“The goal, after a long time, was to come and look at those different areas where the nation could benefit from what we’re learning here in Houston in transportation,” Lee explained.
Buttigieg’s trip focused on aviation, climate change, and public transportation.
“I’m really looking forward to getting on the ground some of the transportation issues that the congresswoman brings to me so often when we’re in Washington,” Buttigieg said.
According to a White House fact sheet, Texas received a grade of C for its infrastructure.
Billions of dollars come into public transportation, but few people use it
Infrastructure bill brings $3.3 billion to Texas public transportation. METRO in Harris County will get some of it for its projects.
The agency publishes its monthly passenger numbers. The last month is July.
Approximately 1.5 million people who rode the light rail five years ago appear in July. In 2022, their number was less than a million people.
The number of bus passengers also decreased. Five years ago, nearly 5 million people took the metro bus during the month of July. In 2022, their number was about 3.5 million people.
We asked Buttigieg about investing money in transportation that fewer Houstonians use.
“Crossing benefits everyone,” Buttigieg said. “Even people who drive. The more people that cross, the less congestion for drivers. We have to have a complete system approach here because everything in transportation is connected to everything else.”
Texas will receive about $27 billion to improve highways. Buttigieg said that does not necessarily mean that more will be built.
“It’s not always as simple as more ways to reduce congestion,” Buttigieg explained. “Sometimes more roads mean more cars. It’s about how you design them. What alternatives you create, and we’re seeing an increasingly important role for technology as well.”
Buttigieg also researched Air Houston and changes to IAH
Buttigieg met aviation students at Texas Southern University.
“America needs pilots,” Buttigieg said. “These students have well-paid jobs waiting for them and it’s great to see these connections being made.”
A job that pays six figures also requires a lot of money upfront to get a license.
SEE ALSO: Airlines are paying a pilot to cut back on issues including cancellations, delays and high airfares
“We’re looking at everything from how to provide funding and funding in student loan programs to what can be done to lower that initial cost in the first place,” Buttigieg explained.
The Secretary of Transportation also went to George Bush International Airport with an $80 million infrastructure bill already earmarked to improve the aging facility.
About $40 million will be allocated to modernize Terminal A.
“When you check in, you will be able to pass through security, lose your bags, and cross your gate without any undue delay,” Buttigieg said. “If you’re traveling with young children, as my partner (Buttigieg), Chastain, and I, from time to time, you should have an easy place to change your child when you’re on layover.”
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