SAN ANTONIO – More than $ 300 million in funding is available for projects to reduce congestion and improve air quality, and the Alamo Region Metropolitan Planning Organization wants to know where the public thinks the money should be spent.

DFO officials are collect public comments until June 27 and will hold a virtual public hearing on Tuesday at 6 p.m., where people can get more information and ask questions.

Local and state agencies submitted proposals to DFO earlier this year, and staff used scoring criteria to narrow the list down to 68 projects to be presented to the public.

These proposals total more than $ 670 million.

“The problem is, we only have about $ 300 million to go to for these projects,” said Allison Blazosky, Transportation Planning Program Manager for DFO Alamo Region. “So we really need the public’s help to understand where their priorities are. Which projects are most important to them?

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The projects include improvements to roads and highways, as well as public transit. They can also include cycle paths and footpaths.

A high priority project for the City of San Antonio involves improvements along the Enrique Barrera Parkway between State Highway 151 and US Highway 90. The city has requested $ 13,500,000 to rebuild the causeway, including new bike lanes. , sidewalks and lighting.

That would be good news for people like Maria Ruiz, who frequently visits stores in the area.

“When I walk I have to walk by the side of the street and there are no sidewalks, and the cars just go fast here,” Ruiz said. “When I cross, they don’t stop, a lot of people have been hit on this side of the road.”

Other funding opportunities include VIA Metropolitan Transit’s push to add Alamo Ranch express bus service to downtown San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation’s proposal to expand its motorist assistance program. HERO to other parts of the region. VIA is also requesting funding to replace its old diesel buses with compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.

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After the 27th, DFO staff will collect feedback and develop a final list of projects for recommendations.

“The criteria taken into account include a technical score, the audience contribution we get, what is the priority of an agency, as well as the project preparation, the projects that we hope to see start and build in the next four to six.” years, ”says Blazosky.

Equity will also be considered for the first time as managers examine the geographic distribution of projects and the types of populations served.

The DFO Alamo Area Transportation Policy Board will make a final decision later this year.

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