The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is developing a rural component to our recently adopted Statewide LongRange Transportation Plan, and are asking your help in developing this blueprint for how Texas addresses its future rural transportation needs. This rural component, known as the Texas Rural Transportation Plan (TRTP) will be the foundation for many rural planning efforts underway at TxDOT and will include the efforts of local, regional and federal transportation partners. The plan will also include a needs assessment through 2035 for all modes of the state’s rural transportation system, including highways, rail, water ports, airports, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, pipelines and Intelligent Transportation Systems; and a prioritized list of rural added-capacity projects.Because transportation is important to all Texans, we encourage comments, questions and feedback about the plan. An outline of the process for developing the TRTP and other details are listed in the attached newsletter. Additional information can be found on the TxDOT web page: txdot.gov, search word “rural plan”. We encourage you to review this information and provide your feedback. Public meetings on the plan will be held around the state in February 2012. We anticipate submitting the TRTP for public hearing and adoption by the Texas Transportation Commission later in Spring 2012. We hope you will participate in this planning process. Your input is vital for TxDOT to fulfill its mission of providing safe, effective and efficient movement of people and goods throughout Texas.