AUSTIN COUNTY SEEKING GRANT FUNDS FOR ROADS DAMAGED BY OIL AND GAS DRILLING
Austin County Judge Carolyn Bilski and the county commissioners are still grappling with the heavy road damage done by an industry that boost their county’s economy.
Judge Bilski says the oil and gas drilling in the county keeps people working, keeps businesses busy but the heavy equipment does a lot of damage to the county’s roads.
She and the commissioners are considering appointing an advisory board for the County Energy Transportation Zone. The Board would help the county get much needed grants from the Texas Department of Transportation to repair county roads damaged by oil and gas drilling equipment.
The Washington County Commissioners are also going for this grant and they have held a public hearing on the matter.
TxDot has $225 million for these road repairs.
The Austin County Commissioners are meeting today (Monday).
Judge Bilski and the commissioners need to worry about something else. As far as road wear and tear due to the petroleum industry, well they paid for everything they had to from the permit process to the finished well. All of the wells drilled in Washington and Austin Counties have brought in countless millions and millions of dollars into the county coffers. I strongly suggests that tax revenue from these oil wells be used for rebuilding roads and infrastructure. Take TxDot’s $225M and build/rebuild your roads. DO NOT make this another tax payer burden.