The North Central Texas Council of Governments is celebrating its 40th anniversary as the region’s metropolitan planning organization. Throughout 2014, the Transportation Department will look back at some historic events and accomplishments that shaped the region.
In January, the focus is on what was happening in 1974 in Dallas-Fort Worth transportation. The metropolitan area had a much smaller population, as just 2.6 million people called Dallas-Fort Worth home. But some important decisions were made that would pave the way for the expansion the region has now experienced. Read more in Local Motion >>>
Transportation in 1974
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National speed limit of 55 mph signed into law Jan. 2, 1974. |
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The federal gas tax in 1974 was 4 cents a gallon.
The state gas tax in 1974 was 5 cents a gallon. |
Total Transportation 1990 called for the construction of State Highway 360 (six lanes) between Interstate Highway 20 and US Highway 287. The 10-mile project was estimated to cost $12 million.
On March 18, 1974, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) ended the oil embargo begun in 1973.
Pop Culture in 1974
Popular TV Shows
All in the Family (CBS)
Sanford and Son (NBC)
Chico and the Man (NBC)
The Jeffersons (CBS)
M*A*S*H (CBS)
Sports
Super Bowl
Miami defeated Minnesota,
24-7, at Rice Stadium,
Jan. 13, 1974
College Football
USC (UPI), 10-1-1
Oklahoma (AP), 11-0
College Basketball
North Carolina State
Professional Basketball
Boston defeated Milwaukee,
4-3 (NBA)
New York Nets defeated Utah Stars, 4-1 (ABA)
Major League Baseball
Oakland defeated LA
Dodgers,
4-1
Hockey
Philadelphia defeated
Boston, 4-2 |
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#DFWMPO40
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Via Instagram / Facebook: John Roark was hired in 1969 as the first transportation director of the North Central Texas Council of Governments. He guided the department through its early years, including the 1974 designation of NCTCOG as the metropolitan planning organization for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He served until 1980. Throughout 2014, we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the MPO. #DFWMPO40 #TBT
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Movies
Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles earned $119.5 million, becoming the top-grossing movie. The Godfather: Part II, produced by Mona Skager, Fred Roos, Robert Evans, Francis Ford Coppola and Gary Frederickson and directed by Coppola, won the Oscar for best picture
News
President Richard M. Nixon resigned Aug. 8, 1974, in the wake of the Watergate scandal.
In Memoriam
Bud Abbott (actor)
Charles Lindbergh (aviator)
Duke Ellington (jazz musician) Phog Allen (basketball coach) Ed Sullivan (TV personality)
Dallas-Fort Worth MPO at 40: Reflecting on Accomplishments, Historic Events and More
January 2014: What was Happening in 1974
February 2014: Forty Years of Media and Public Involvement
March 2014: Transportation Options
April 2014: The Regional Transportation Council
May 2014: Air Quality
June 2014: Youth Involvement in Transportation
July 2014: Regional Innovations
August 2014: Public Transportation
September 2014: Technology and Transportation Planning
October 2014: Growth in Population and Transportation
November 2014: Aviation
December 2014: Future of Transportation
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