Texas Department of Transportation, State transportation department in Austin, United States.
The Texas Department of Transportation is a state agency in Austin responsible for managing roads, aviation, and maritime transportation throughout Texas. It oversees an extensive road network and coordinates numerous construction projects across the state.
The agency was established in 1991 through the merger of multiple transportation agencies to centralize management of road, air, and maritime transportation. This reorganization created a unified framework for handling all transportation systems across the state.
The department launched the 'Don't Mess with Texas' campaign in 1986, originally designed to fight littering but evolving into a recognized expression of state pride. This message appears on signs throughout the highways and has become embedded in how Texans see themselves and their home.
Visitors can access real-time information about road conditions, construction zones, and traffic cameras through DriveTexas.org. This website helps with trip planning and allows travelers to avoid delays by checking current data before heading out.
The agency manages about 800,000 acres of roadside land where native wildflowers and grasses grow across the highway system. These areas support biodiversity along the road network and shape the appearance of the Texas landscape.
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