Reorganization of the Texas Department of Transportation has shifted former Lampasas Area Engineer Tom Dahl to a TxDOT regional job.

Dahl -- who has worked for the transporation department for nearly 23 years and became Lampasas area engineer in January 2001 -- has taken a position as design resource coordinator for the North Regional Support Center, one of four TxDOT regions.

Despite Dahl's reassignment, Lampasas still will be served by an area engineer, and TxDOT employees based in Lampasas will not lose their jobs, said Sandra Parker, spokesman for the Brownwood District, which includes Lampasas County. Eric Lykins, interim Brownwood area engineer, will assume the duties Dahl fulfilled for Lampasas, Mills and San Saba counties.

Along with Dahl, four other TxDOT employees in Lampasas likely will change from their current jobs to different positions within the transportation department, Mrs. Parker said.

A records keeper formerly with the Lampasas Area Office is working out of the Waco District as needed, and one employee will work from Lampasas for a TxDOT district laboratory. In addition, two inspectors who have worked for the Lampasas Area Office may move to the maintenance office in Lampasas, Mrs. Parker said.

"There are regional jobs that are going to be available for people who want to apply," she added, "so this reorganization actually presents some opportunities for people to advance.

"It isn't about cutting people's jobs," Mrs. Parker added of TxDOT restructuring, saying that most residents will not observe notable differences in TxDOT operations around Lampasas. "It's about getting more effective and more transparent."

The TxDOT office at the north end of town, 1133 North U.S. Highway 281, will remain open, she said, and maintenance crews based in Lampasas will continue to work on roads as funds are available.

Although a date has not been set for the beginning of Key Avenue improvement work, Mrs. Parker said changes in the Lampasas Area Office will not delay the project any further. Funding, as well as construction needs elsewhere in the state, will determine when the Key Avenue project begins, she said.

Because of population growth, bond debt and declining gas tax revenues, TxDOT for several years has struggled to fund road construction projects, Mrs. Parker said. The gas tax has not risen since the 1990s, and annual miles driven have declined, the spokesman said.

In addition, Texas -- which typically sends more transportation money to the federal government than the state receives back, Mrs. Parker said -- has faced recissions of Federal Highway Administration funds.

The emphasis on infrastructure needs in urban areas, particularly on Interstate 35 between Austin and Dallas, also has prevented much construction from taking place in the Brownwood District and in Lampasas County, Mrs. Parker said.

Because the Lampasas Area Office for years has been the state's smallest, Mrs. Parker said it is logical to reorganize area office jobs into TxDOT regions.

"It was just a good time, because the amount of work over there [in Lampasas, Mills and San Saba counties] was just so small," Mrs. Parker said.

Restructuring is occurring statewide, the spokesman said, including in TxDOT's Tyler and Amarillo districts. About 15 employees within the Brownwood District -- including workers in warehouse purchasing, accounting, information resources and right of way acquisition -- have been reassigned to regional jobs, she said. Those employees have retained offices in Brownwood.

Along with the decline in construction, the need for area offices has not been as great since design teams moved to district offices.

"Since there's no longer any design in the area offices, the dynamic has changed there," Mrs. Parker said.

The TxDOT spokesman encouraged residents and elected officials to contact Lykins if they need assistance or information about transportation matters.

"Mr. Lykins is really personable and accessible," Mrs. Parker said.