Preliminary Energy Development Partnership Case Studies for Rural Texas Highway Infrastructure

摘要

While recent shale oil and gas developments have buoyed the Texas economy, these developments have taken a toll on low-volume roads. Heavy truck traffic impacts on roadway infrastructure in the Eagle Ford and Barnett Shale plays and the Permian Basin are obvious in the cracks, potholes, and other major distresses that manifest in pavements throughout these areas. Many of Texas’ local county roadway systems are not designed to withstand the heavy loads and higher traffic volumes arising from energy resource development. Rapid development of energy resources will continue to strain agencies responsible for maintaining roadways until measures are taken to implement infrastructure impact plans, road-user agreements, or other measures to rehabilitate effected roadways. This paper explores partnership approaches between energy companies, county officials, and other organizations. The proactive, performance-based approach strengthens pavements prior to energy development. The reactive, performance-based approach assesses impact fees associated with road maintenance after the damage. A third approach assesses impact fees that are not attached to actual deterioration. The fourth approach considers policy changes to the Texas Transportation Code, which allows counties to promote transportation infrastructure projects affected by energy production activities. The authors discuss what is currently being done in Texas and suggest recommendations for future work. With future exploration and development expected throughout Texas and the United States, execution of agreements and creative reimbursement procedures will be critical to maintaining adequate levels of service and preserving strong working relationships between the energy industry and county governments charged with preserving roadway assets.