Welcome to the 2010 edition of Progress North Texas, an annual report on the progress of transportation and transportation-related air quality initiatives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department and Regional Transportation Council are committed to improving the lives of more than 6.5 million residents by providing an efficient and effective transportation system while paying close attention to air quality.

Many exciting things happened in the region last year. Projects on the books for forty years moved closer to reality. Additional rail service opened. The region benefited from federal efforts to create jobs and improve infrastructure. These enhancements will provide more choices and reliability to residents who depend on the transportation system and the businesses that employ them.

To ensure progress continues, local transportation leaders remain resolute and ready to pursue more funding for transportation needs across the region when the next legislative session begins in January. As officials consider ideas, a strong emphasis is being placed on educating the public of the need and involving residents in each part of the process. As always, NCTCOG is paying particular attention to what residents are saying about transportation needs.

The responsibilities of the RTC, which sets transportation policy and selects projects, were expanded with the addition of three new counties to the planning area. The RTC now makes transportation policy decisions for 12 counties, with the inclusion of Hood, Hunt and Wise counties.

Progress North Texas 2010 will steer you through the complexities of transportation in a large metropolitan area while looking forward to future developments. The Dallas-Fort Worth area faces challenges in many areas, including funding, air quality, partnerships, quality of life and accessibility and reliability. But significant progress is evident. Local governments, elected officials, transportation planners and transportation engineers continue to work together in search of solutions that address the concerns of today’s residents and those who will come after them.

Policymakers, planners and elected officials are important. But any good plan must have public support. Without the help of people who deal with the transportation system and breathe the air every day, the region could not come up with relevant solutions to the problems we face.

In this document, we will examine improvements made in the past year and what needs to be done to ensure the region’s world-class transportation system is able to continue to meet the needs of residents.

We hope you find this report informative and will consider it your invitation to become involved in the transportation planning process. Your help is essential as we develop a plan to ease congestion for North Texans today and those living here decades from now.