AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 35, Competing for Quality Roads, by Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville:

“As Texas grows, our state will need more roads to meet the demand of our general population and industry. Texas spends billions of dollars on new roads each year, so it is essential to look for ways to improve efficiency in the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) contracting process. Texas taxpayers benefit when there is more competition in markets, including roadbuilding.

“I have prioritized Texas’ transportation system more than any lieutenant governor in Texas history. When spending taxpayer dollars, expenditures require the utmost scrutiny, especially multi-billion dollar roadbuilding projects. SB 35 limits TxDOT’s ability to use Design-Build projects and instead encourages competitive Design-Bid-Build projects. Placing further emphasis on Design-Bid-Build projects will result in operational efficiencies and cost-savings for taxpayers, all while building high-quality roads.”

Senate Bill 35, by Sen. Robert Nichols, reduces the allowed Design-Build projects that TxDOT can enter to two per biennium with the intention of only using the Design-Build projects when there is no viable alternative. SB 35 will cause TxDOT to use more Design-Bid-Build contracts, creating cost and operational efficiencies for taxpayers.