Last year, the Texas Department of Transportation held three townhall meetings across the state to give citizens an opportunity to provide input on regional transportation issues. Those three meetings were well attended and set the precedent for continued dialogue in 2009.

So far this year, TxDOT has held two townhall meetings: one in Nacogdoches and one in Kingsville. TxDOT, along with its transportation partners -- the Killeen-Temple Urban Transportation Study and the Waco Metropolitan Planing Organization -- will host the third meeting in Temple.

I want to extend a personal invitation to Central Texas citizens to join us at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2 at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center, 3303 N. Third St. in Temple.

We encourage you to attend this meeting. It's an excellent opportunity for an open dialogue on transportation issues and concerns, and the information the agency brings back from these meetings can be used to shape discussions on future transportation needs.

TxDOT, its regional hosts and other local transportation representatives will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on projects and funding, including a brief perspective on regional infrastructure requirements for the future.

Again, these townhall meetings are an opportunity to talk, and it gives citizens and local officials an occasion to voice issues concerning regional transportation infrastructure. TxDOT needs your input and support on making these important transportation decisions. We hope you will take the time to attend. We need your thoughts.
Lynn G. Passmore, P.E.
Brownwood District Engineer
Texas Department of Transportation