Seventh Annual Texas Transportation Forum Kicks Off with Record Attendance

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Roughly 1,300 policymakers, business, finance and transportation professionals gathered in the Alamo City this week to discuss ways to meet Texas' transportation challenges at the 7th Annual Texas Transportation Forum.

Hosted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Texas Good Roads Transportation Association, Associated General Contractors of Texas, and Texas Transportation Institute, the Forum kicked off Thursday morning with remarks from TxDOT's Executive Director Phil Wilson, urging the record-breaking number of attendees to remain open to new ideas throughout the event.

"That's what this Forum is about – talking about our challenges and possible ways to meet them," Wilson said. "This is a great opportunity to network with others who want to advance transportation in this great state.  There's a lot on tap for the Forum, so be prepared to learn, to ask questions, to be a part of the solution. Texas is counting on you."

Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, an advocate for national infrastructure investment policy, makes his second consecutive appearance at the Forum and will deliver the keynote address at the general session breakfast on Friday, February 17. U.S. Senator John Cornyn is scheduled to give the closing keynote address at Friday's luncheon.

The state's increasing population drives a strong demand for a robust and well-integrated Texas transportation system. The Texas Transportation Forum gives interested individuals opportunities to share their experiences, ideas, demands and challenges.

"It's easy to get people excited about transportation challenges, but it's much less common to see record attendance at an event dedicated to transportation solutions," Wilson added. "The growth of the 2012 Transportation Forum shows just how serious Texas communities are about taking action to advance mobility in our state."

Forum sessions are filled with experts that will share and discuss information on transportation research, rail, truck, and waterway transportation, construction, business development, emergency management, authorization of a new federal surface transportation program, and more.

For more information, visit www.texastransportationforum.com or stay up-to-date on the latest Forum discussions and information by using Twitter hashtag #TxTransForum. Also, be sure to check out the TxDOT Facebook page for updated event photos and messages at www.facebook.com/txdot. 

The Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its approximately 12,000 employees strive to empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and preserving the value of the state's transportation assets. Find out more at www.txdot.gov. Fan us on Facebook www.facebook.com/txdot. Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/txdot.

SOURCE Texas Department of Transportation