Future Bright for N. Texas Aviation
North Texas has a rich aviation heritage and an economy that continues to be shaped by the industry. But a coordinated effort to interest students in aviation is needed to keep young people who aspire to work with aircraft from going out of state for their education.

Sustaining the region’s robust aviation industry was a major thrust of the fifth annual NCTCOG Aviation Summit this winter. And many officials agreed that it starts with providing students the right tools, including the opportunity to pursue a four-year degree at home. <More>

Push Toward Cleaner Air Involves Everyone
A Message from Michael Morris, Transportation Director
As we look back at the region’s progress in 2011, it’s easy to be excited about the future of Dallas-Fort Worth. Major roadway projects throughout the region have been undertaken thanks to the innovative approaches of our public-sector partners and creative partnerships these road-building agencies have formed with private business.

Our passenger rail network also is growing into one of the nation’s most impressive systems and will soon provide direct access to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport via DART’s Orange Line. The Blue Line will extend light rail service from downtown Garland to Rowlett. The North Central Texas Council of Governments recently determined another massive rail project – passenger rail along the 62-mile Cotton Belt corridor – is viable. A comprehensive report of potential financing mechanisms indicates $2.7 billion could be available over 40 years. But as we admire the work being done to improve the reliability of the transportation system, we must remember how integral air quality is to our future mobility. <More>

Cedar Hill Mayor is Optimistic
About the Region
Regional Transportation Council Member Profile
Rob Franke, Mayor, City of Cedar Hill
Rob Franke has learned an important lesson in his time as chair of the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition. Although Dallas-Fort Worth has a diverse collection of large and small cities, everyone’s challenges are similar.

Dallas’ might be on a different scale than those of Cedar Hill, the city Franke has presided over as Mayor for 14 years, but residents deal with the same issues. One of the most important is transportation. And Franke is working at multiple levels to help ensure the region’s transportation system continues to improve. <More>

After 40 Years, Key Road is Coming
Residents, business leaders and public officials, some of whom had waited 40 years for the project to take shape, celebrated the groundbreaking of Chisholm Trail Parkway in December at separate events in Fort Worth and Cleburne.

The North Texas Tollway Authority plans to complete Chisholm Trail Parkway, the first road the agency will build in Tarrant and Johnson counties, by mid-2014. .<More>

NCTCOG Hopes to Open New Window with YouTube Channel
The North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department recently established a YouTube channel, which will be used to further enhance communication with the public. <More>