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Texas Department of
Transportation |
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| The Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT, pronounced "tex-dot") is a
government agency in Texas. Its stated mission is to
"work with others to provide safe and reliable
transportation solutions" throughout the state. Though
the public face of the agency is generally associated
with the construction and maintenance of the state's
immense highway system, the agency is also responsible
for overseeing aviation, rail and public transportation
systems in the state. |
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| At one time TxDOT also administered
vehicle registration; however this function transferred
to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, a newly
created state agency which began operations in November
2009. |
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| The agency has been headquartered in
the Dewitt C. Greer Building at 125 East 11th Street in
Downtown Austin, Texas, since 1933. |
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The Texas Legislature created the Texas Highway Department in
1917 to administer federal highway construction and maintenance.
In 1975, its responsibilities increased when the agency merged
with the Texas Mass Transportation Commission, to form the State
Department of Highways and Public Transportation. |
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| In 1986 the department
started using "Don't Mess with Texas" as its slogan to reduce
littering on Texas roadways, as part of a statewide advertising
campaign. The phrase was prominently shown on road signs on
major highways, as well as in television, radio and print
advertisements. The slogan is still in use and remains very
popular. |
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| In 1991, the Legislature
combined the State Department of Highways and Public
Transportation, the Department of Aviation and the Texas Motor
Vehicle Commission to create the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT). |
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In 1997 the pre-existing Texas Turnpike Authority (TTA) was
divided into two successor agencies: the North Texas Tollway
Authority took responsibility for TTA assets in four north Texas
counties, while the Turnpike Authority Division of Texas DOT was
given jurisdiction over toll facilities in the rest of the
state. |
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