TRIP Bond 2022
by Beverly Greenwood
The BCRMA Needs Funding
In October of 2020, KBTX reported that voters would "someday" vote on a $10 Vehicle Registration Fee to fund local transportation projects. Both Brazos County Judge Duane Peters and State Representative John Raney voiced support for the fee. Also in that report, Dan Rudge, Executive Director of the B/CS Metropolitan Planning Organization stated, “The vehicle registration fee would allow the Regional Mobility Authority to work with the MPO to identify specific transportation projects that we might not be able to afford as an MPO or that we want to accelerate as an MPO. It’s money that would be available in later years or it’s a project that we just couldn’t afford with MPO funding." That fee would be used to fund the Brazos County Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) that was newly created in December of 2019. The first discussion of a $10 vehicle registration fee was possibly by Dan Rudge in an RMA meeting held back in January of 2020.
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In December of 2020, KBTX reported again on the $10 needed for the BCRMA. Dan Rudge was interviewed once more and said “There are a number of studies that we would like to have the RMA undertake." Attached to that report was the MPO's Transportation Improvement Plan from October. There was NO mention of the East Loop.
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In January of 2022 at the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Conference, the discussion of a road bond election for November 2022 became public after Judge Duane Peters said it has been talked about for a year and a half. He stated in an audio clip posted by WTAW this money could be used to match funds from the state to move projects forward. In that same WTAW clip, Brazos County Regional Mobility Authority Chairman Barry Moore said a $10 vehicle registration fee would be included in the road bond election to be dedicated to fund initiatives of the BCRMA. Moore, continuing with his comments to WTAW, stated that "to be effective the RMA needs a source of revenue." There was NO mention of the East Loop project in his statement to WTAW, however, the BCRMA presentation that was given at the Economic Conference referenced the East Loop as a potential RMA project along with access around Rellis and the Fitch/Arrington overpass. He also discussed the Transportation Vision Statement that had been signed by 15 partners recognizing transportation as a major issue and the need to work together to solve a problem. In addition, the BCSMPO gave a presentation with NO mention of the East Loop, but instead a reference to I-14/I-214 and Highway 36.
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The BCRMA Potential Projects
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In June of 2022, BCRMA Chair Barry Moore again discussed the $10 vehicle registration fee as did Brazos County Tax Assessor Kristeen Roe with KBTX. At that time, Roe didn't know if the fee would include farm trailers but said she needed to find out from the state. (There was some chatter on social media during the later election whether the fee would be assessed on trailers and the confusion on that seems justifiable based on the Texas Transportation Code language). Moore stated, "This is a way where we can use funds that come from this community from vehicle registration to leverage that to get funds from TxDOT from the federal government from other places that we might not be able to get otherwise." There was NO mention of the East Loop in those interviews however, in the written article from KBTX, it listed the BCRMA's three initial projects of interest directly quoted as "the Eastern Inner Loop would begin on Highway 6 and loop outwards around Highway 21 near Coulter Field, FM1179 SH30, and loop back to Highway 6 near William D. Fitch Parkway. The RMA would also like to make improvements to SH21/SH 47 near the RELLIS Campus and Arrington Road where it intersects with William D. Fitch Parkway." That report also linked to an older document, from August of 2020, possibly out of confusion, found on both the MPO and RMA websites showing the "Top 5" B/CS "Priority Projects" including an OUTER LOOP that would be used to accommodate I-14.​​​​​​
A Plan is Hatched
On July 28, 2022, the Brazos County Commissioners Court held a special workshop session where a presentation called the Transportation Road Improvement Program 2022 was unveiled. Judge Peters explained the story of looking for ways to draw in TxDOT money to fund "all the projects we're familiar with" and finding the person who could do it (see the important video here near 14 minutes). Enter John Polster, President of Innovative Transportation Solutions, though Mr. Polster's $10,000/month contract with Brazos County began almost two years earlier on August 1, 2020 (increased to $15,000/month in 2024). Mr. Polster explains TxDOT "let" dates and how he can get a project ready to go in a process he calls "faith based engineering" - when another entity misses their TxDOT funding because they haven't completed the schematic, the environmental clearance, the ROW acquisition, and/or the utilities relocation. (NOTE: The constituents have heard time and time again this is JUST A STUDY AND WE DON'T EVEN HAVE THE MONEY! This study provides the schematic and the environmental clearance. The environmental clearance will provide the value of the Right-of-Way. So how do they get ROW acquisition? Remember This.) Commissioner Russ Ford asks how the public will be convinced (at minute 36 of the video) and Mr. Polster replies the Commissioners have to remain neutral and informative as opposed to being advocates. Then an "entity" will create a Special Purpose Committee (PAC) that is funded by "contributions." It will produce voter guides and endorsement pieces.
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In further investigation into Mr. Polster's work across the state, Denton County comes to the top of his portfolio. In an article from the Denton-Record Chronicle, referencing their similar bond package and loop construction, the Chronicle writes, "Perhaps the most emphasized part of the county's pitch to voters is its approach to road projects, which commissioners and consultants call 'faith-based engineering.' Essentially, the county works with larger agencies like the Texas Department of Transportation, taking on a leading role in road projects to get them to a certain point. Then, TxDOT is enticed to finish out the project, absorbing most of the cost in the process."
In coverage by KBTX, Dan Rudge, of the BCSMPO said, "All of the projects that were identified in the bond program are considered a priority that the MPO has prioritized, and part of that prioritization process was listening to local residents." (I have yet to meet these local residents.) In that bond program sitting at the top of the list is the Inner East Loop project with a $13,000,000 county commitment towards the "faith based engineering" process. The spreadsheet (shown below) that listed 8 projects was available, so we have been told, on the county website and was eventually printed on a political ad (in small, illegible writing) that was mailed out and paid for by "Brazos County TRIP '22" PAC just as Mr. Polster described (see mailout below that has recently been provided to us). It was also available on the WTAW website and may have been at other locations as well. In the KBTX coverage, despite being listed as the number one project, there was NO mention of the East Loop. ​​​
A Bond Is Born
In August of 2022, the County Commissioners attempted to put the Bond on the November 2022 ballot (KBTX report HERE, NO mention of the East Loop). KBTX reported that the Bond package will also include the $10 Vehicle Registration Fee, however that was Prop B only of the package and not Prop A. (See the exact ballot wording here.) In regards to the Bond, Dan Rudge of the MPO stated, “We’ve heard over and over again that transportation is an important issue in Brazos County and we are trying to be proactive in addressing those concerns." NO mention of the East Loop was made by Dan Rudge or Judge Peters in that KBTX interview.
The BCRMA's Three Projects Defined
In September 2022, the BCRMA meeting minutes included that Prop B was written for funding the RMA. When BCRMA Chair Barry Moore later gave an interview to Bill Oliver of WTAW, he discussed what Prop B didn't include - toll roads or vehicle registration increases on farm trailers - and what it did include which was eminent domain authority and ability to accelerate transportation projects by allowing access to money they wouldn't otherwise be able to access with the creation and funding of the BCRMA. There was NO mention of the East Loop, despite that it was listed in RMA's defined scope of work in a document titled "Moving Forward: 2022 and Beyond." Three projects were identified in that document - Near Term: William D Fitch and Arrington Road Intersection, Intermediate Term: the interchange at RELLIS at HWY 21 and HWY 47, Long Term: inner eastern loop (don't forget this). Language in this document included that the BCRMA would be the planning body to initiate work on the East Loop including working with TxDOT. It would also be the body to conduct public awareness meetings, identify constraints to the alignment, and identify alignments warranting further study, all intended to accelerate implementation. It is important to note that the members of the BCRMA are NOT ELECTED OFFICIALS, and the RMA reporting requirements are minimal and may not capture detailed financial and operating data. In addition, in reference to confusion about RMA's creating toll roads, RMA creation is listed under section G of the Texas Transportation Code titled "Turnpikes and Toll Roads." Read more about the BCRMA HERE.
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A 2022 Broken Record: NO Mention of the East Loop
A procedural error in September delayed the vote approving the Bond for inclusion in the November election as reported by KBTX which gave more opportunity for the commissioners to shed light on exactly what projects would be funded. The news report stated that the bond would be worth $100 million with $20 million going towards the county roads and $80 million will be used for leveraging TxDOT funds. Then Precinct 2 Commissioner Russ Ford (office now held by Chuck Konderla) said, "I am never concerned when we take things to the voters. The voters always seem to have a way to come up with the right answer on things. And as I say at this point it may be unpopular, we may have to sell this thing to the public.” Once again, there was NO mention of the East Loop.
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​​In October, KBTX reported that Prop A would "approve $100 million dollars worth of construction projects to fix county roads" and Prop B would be to fund the RMA projects. Dan Rudge in that interview said, "Organizations like the RMA get projects ready to go because then TXDOT can come asking if we have projects to meet their millions of dollars standard for each year. Brazos County can raise it’s hand and say we have multiple projects that are ready.” And, of course, there was NO mention of the East Loop.
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Also in October, the Eagle reported similarly with quotes from Judge Peters and Dan Rudge. It even listed "the eight bond projects by rank." Its list was, "Texas 6 to William D. Fitch, which would widen the roadway; Texas 21 to Texas 47, which would have interchange improvements; Texas 47 to F.M. 2818, which would widen to a five-lane roadway; F.M. 60 to Texas 6 North, which would widen the roadway; improvements from George Bush Drive to Wellborn Road; improvements from Arrington Road to Texas 6; Associates Avenue to F.M. 158, which would widen the roadway; and various county road reconstruction/improvements." Judge Peters specifically spoke to the reporter about the importance of the Bond passage for the Bush/Wellborn road intersection but there was NO mention of the East Loop.
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Late October, a podcast called Think Brazos recorded an interesting interview with BCRMA Chair Barry Moore. In that podcast, Moore describes the authority the RMA would have if funded with Proposition B and includes conversation of their planned projects, including the East Loop. For 1.5 minutes of a 27 minute interview, Moore discusses the long term East Loop "just a line on a piece of paper" project and how long exactly is "long term." He "anticipates" that it is 5- to 10-years before we really have a route identified and "design and environmental" is done. He moves into to description of TxDOT's "letting" process and how the BCRMA can leverage funds. Moore explained MPOs are the planners and RMAs are the designers/implementers getting a project ready so when TxDOT comes along with funds, we can raise our hand. Moore emphasized that the BCRMA wasn't interested in toll roads, however state legislative language does put toll road authority under RMAs.
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One of the last reports from KBTX prior to the election aired interviews from both Judge Peters and BCRMA Chair Barry Moore defining Prop A and Prop B . Moore said Prop B funding the RMA could be used for early stage design, environmental studies or right-of-way purchases. Peters said Prop A would be used for TxDOT matching, the Bush/Wellborn intersection, and Highway 6 among other projects. In an additional interview from a resident, he included his opinion of how he thought the funding would be used and that the descriptions of what the money would be used for were too vague. Despite a perfect opportunity to educate the voters, directly from both Judge Peters and Chairman Moore, there were NO mentions of the East Loop.
The $100M Bond (Prop A) was approved by voters in November 2022 and is the largest bond program Brazos County has seen in its history. However, Prop B, the key piece of funding for the BCRMA, failed, and residents of eastern Brazos dodged a serious bullet, or so we thought. KBTX reported that Prop A would be used to "speed up and lock in funding from TxDOT for road improvements on the George Bush Drive and Wellborn Road interchanges. The bond would also cover a portion of other transportation projects, including the expansions of Highway 6, and FM 47 along University Drive along with a new interchange near RELLIS." KBTX also reported that the failed Prop B would have funded the RMA's "expressed three initial projects of interest" including the East Loop, SH21/47 at RELLIS and Fitch/Arrington intersection. Prop A on the other hand, passed, with NO mention of the East Loop.
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Judge Peters gave the Eagle the following interview the evening Prop A passed and once again, spoke on the importance of the Bush/Wellborn intersection:
Reporter: Judge, thanks for giving us a few minutes of your night, big thing on the county ballot was the transportation bond. What will that transportation bond provide for travelers commuters here in Brazos County?”
Judge Peters: “Well that's $100 million bond and 80 million will go toward TxDOT projects and the critical thing about doing it with TxDOT is that for every dollar you spend TxDOT can match $4 or $5 so you really get a big bang for your dollar. That's what we pushed for a long time. This is going to make a big difference in Brazos County. There are things that we really… the most important that's probably the closest to actually, could begin, is the Bush Wellborn exchange out there and you've got bicycles and pedestrians and cars and trucks and a train and it's a dangerous intersection and by the $15,000,000 that is out of that $100 million bond issue that we have attributed to that will pretty much fully fund that and so TxDOT should be able to take a look and hopefully begin. You know it takes a long time to get construction, that you've got all these other things that they have to do that you know that I'm not sure about but it'll get that project up to the top to try to get begin and let's get it going.”
Reporter: “You are seeking reelection, you know, what are some of the things that you're hoping to accomplish this next term as Judge?”
Judge Peters: “Well transportation is the big one. I mean I think it's going to be critical for the 20 years you know so we need to begin now and that's what we're doing.”
Judge Peters moved on to discussing the medical examiner's office and public defender's office. There was NO mention of the East Loop.​
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The Eagle also reported in that same November '22 news story from election night that the bond will include: widening the roadway on William D. Fitch from Arrington Road to Texas 6; interchange improvements on Texas 21 at Texas 47 (Rellis); widening F.M. 1688 to five lanes from F.M. 2818 to Texas 47 (Leonard Road); make F.M. 2818 a super street from F.M. 60 to Texas 6 North; improvements to the intersection of George Bush Drive and Wellborn Road; widen Texas 30 to five lanes from Associates Avenue to F.M. 158; and other county road reconstruction and improvements. There was NO mention of the East Loop.
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The Shell Game
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In February of 2024, The Eagle, utilizing the unfunded (Prop B failed) Brazos County Regional Mobility Authority map (shown above) that was presented in the "Moving Forward: 2022 and Beyond" document, announced that Brazos County had approved an $11 million contract to Quiddity for the design phase of the Inner East Loop. Remember, the BCRMA role descriptions described in that document, if funded, were to be the planning body to initiate work on the East Loop as one of their long term projects. WTAW also reported Quiddity's contract here and includes links to the contract requirements (and additional ROW requirements) as well as comments from Judge Peters. WTAW writes in their article, "Funding for the design contract comes from a $100 million dollar bond issue that Brazos County voters approved in November of 2022." Also, Bill Oliver of WTAW notes that "another private company that's been hired to acquire right-of-way is supposed to finalize its recommendations by the end of 2024." (Wait, what?)​
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In April of 2024, the Eagle reported that John Polster gave a powerpoint presentation (found in the minutes of that meeting) to the Brazos County Commissioners. On the very top of the list was (can you guess?) the Inner Loop East. In that April 9th meeting, Mr. Polster, as reported by The Eagle, stated the projects entering the design phase include Inner Loop East, the intersection at Texas 47 and 21 [Rellis area], F.M. 1688 [Leonard Road] and Texas 30. Polster said the remaining three projects, including the Bush/Wellborn intersection that Judge Peters was passionate enough to discuss on election night, will be continued in the future. The Eagle quoted Mr. Polster saying, “We met with both TxDOT [Department of Transportation] and the Metropolitan Planning Organization [MPO] and then with stakeholders for the communities (who?) which these projects were in. Based on that information, the MPO and TxDOT suggested that the first projects that we start with for the advanced planning — which is your schematic and your environmental clearance that allows the project to get its right-of-way acquired and utilities relocated — were the interloop project, the intersection at 47 and 21 [Rellis], and then 1688 [Leonard Road] and SH 30.” Mr. Polster also jokingly added in that, “It’s a long process; I tell people we could hurry up if I could violate your property rights, not care about the environment and not include you in the process. I haven’t got anybody to take me up on that yet.”
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Now how, may I ask, did the Inner East Loop STUDY that was apparently the number one PROJECT for the TRIP Bond, never get discussed in interview after interview? And how may I ask, did the "most important" and "dangerous" Bush/Wellborn intersection discussed multiple times by Judge Peters as a Prop A priority move to the "future projects" category? And how did the unfunded BCRMA's long term Inner East Loop early stage design and environmental STUDY get moved from the FAILED Prop B to the top of Prop A project allocation? And who are all these stakeholders for the communities that Mr. Polster mentioned that want this study done?
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In November of 2024, the morning of my presentation at Bryan High School, KBTX reported, "according to this presentation from Brazos County, the East Loop project is to be funded using the voter-approved Transportation Road Improvement Bond Program from 2022. When voters approved that proposition, leaders told KBTX funds would go toward improvements on Highway 6, George Bush, and Wellborn intersections, plus improvements to the RELLIS entrance. In that same election, voters rejected a second proposition to increase funds for the Brazos County Regional Mobility Authority. Project ideas listed under the proposition included the East Loop project, based on prior coverage. The ballot language of those propositions never cited any specific projects. KBTX reached out to county leaders who said the RMA proposition had misconceptions about it creating toll roads. Both propositions focused on funding for road projects throughout the county." After all this, even the media questioned how we got here.
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Brazos County is using $13 million from TRIP Bond Prop A to fund the study of the East Loop. I ask you, taxpayers of Brazos County, is that what you voted for?