Transportation in Texas

Image source: http://www.txdot.gov/

The Texas Department of Transportation^[1] (TxDOT) is a government agency in Texas. The department provides safe and reliable transportation solutions throughout the state. The Texas Department of Transportation works for the construction and maintenance of the state's immense highway system, oversees aviation and rail and public transportation systems in the state.

General information on (TxDOT):
Texas Department of Transportation
125 East 11th St.
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (800) 558-9368 (toll free), (512) 463-8588
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Time: Monday-Friday
Website: http://www.txdot.gov/

Important transport contact numbers in Texas

Aviation: (512) 416-4500
Bridge: (512) 416-2278
Communications: (512) 305-9568
Construction: (512) 416-2500
Maritime: (713) 802-5781
Public Transportation: (512) 374-5230
Rail: (512) 486-5230
Right of Way: (512) 416-2901
Toll Operations: (888) 468-9824
Traffic Operations: (512) 416-3200
Transportation Planning: (512) 486-5003
Travel Information: (512) 486-5900

Facts on Texas Transportation

Texas Transportation fast facts ^[2]:

The State Department of Highways and Public Transportation was renamed the Texas Department of Transportation in 1991.
There are approximately 25,678,000 square feet of signs and 45,552 reference markers along Texas roadways.
There are 100 safety rest areas, numerous picnic areas, and 12 Travel Information Centers in Texas.
Texas has over 60 miles of toll roads. Texas opened its first toll highway in 1957, connecting Dallas and Fort Worth.
TxDOT maintains more than 79,000 miles of ranch-to-market, farm-to-market, state, U.S. and interstate highways. That's more roadway than any other state.
More than 60,000 pounds of wildflower seed are planted along Texas highways every year.

Road Transportation in Texas

Texas is a large and big state in US. The Texas Department of Transportation is the supreme authority to look after the road transport relating activities in Texas. Buses and taxis are the primary modes of road transport in Texas. Personal vehicles are the predominant mode of everyday transportation in Texas. Private cars are one of the favored modes of transport in Texas. Bicycle and motorcycle are also another important mode of transport in Texas.

Highways in Texas

Image source: http://www.txdot.gov/

The Texas state highways are a network of highways owned and maintained by Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for operations and maintenance of the highways in Texas. In US, Texas has the second largest state highway system.

Some of the notable highways in Texas are:

State Highways in Texas

Maintained by the state, State highways in Texas have been assigned numbers between 1 and 365.

State highway loops and spurs

State highway loops and spurs are short links in the State Highway network which includes many routes that are not circular or even a bypass. The main purpose of short state highways is to connect two or more highways and are usually designated as a Loop.

Farm to market roads

Half of the state's highway system is comprised of Farm-to-Market road system which comprises of Ranch-to-Market roads.

Business routes

Business routes are assigned to many old alignments of Interstate highways, state highways, U.S. highways and farm to market roads that have been bypassed. A unique lettered suffix is assigned to each business route along the highway.

Park and recreational roads

Park Roads and Recreational Roads serve state or national parks and recognized recreational areas. The state also has about 88 Park Roads and Recreation Roads which provide access to state and national parks and other designated recreational areas.

Toll roads

These highways in Texas are frontage roads. Most freeways in Texas have continuous frontage roads, two-way in rural areas and one-way in urban areas. Texas relies heavily on toll roads to expand and maintain its aging highway system.

Texas Highways Fast Facts: ^[2]

First Highway: Started in 1918
First Interstate: 1956
Shortest Highway: Loop 168 in Tenaha, Shelby County, is 391 feet
Longest Highway: US 83 stretches 899 miles from the Oklahoma state line near Perryton to the Mexican border near Brownsville
Highest Highway: A spur from Texas 118 at the McDonald Observatory on Mt. Locke in West Texas.
Busiest Highway: I-10/Katy Freeway in Houston west of Beltway 8.
Longest bridge: The Queen Isabella Causeway between Port Isabel and South Padre Island, 2.37 miles long.
Number of bridges: 51,808

Air Transportation in Texas

Air Transportation is an essential and efficient one in Texas. Airports in Texas connects the state with other states of US. Taxes' big commercial airports are Dallas/Fort Worth International and Houston’s Bush Intercontinental. There are also many airports and heliports serving the state. Texas Transport Department's Aviation Division helps the state’s general aviation airports to adhere to regulations. Texas' general aviation airport system is one of the largest in the nation. The major airports in Texas are:

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

Image source: https://www.dfwairport.com/

The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is the largest airport in the state and the second largest in the United States. It is located nearly equidistant from downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth. The airport is the headquarters for American Airlines. The major airlines operating from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport are AeroMexico, Aircanada, Alaska airlines, American airlines, Americaneagle, Avianca, British Airways, Delta, Emirates, Cayman Airways, Etihad Airline, JetBlue, Flyfrontier.com, Korean Air and so on

Contact Details
DFW International Airport
3200 East Airfield Drive, DFW Airport, TX 75261, United States
Phone: 1 972-973-3112
Website: https://www.dfwairport.com/

George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston

Image source: http://www.airport-houston.com/

George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston is located 23 miles north of downtown Houston in Texas. Referred to as Houston Airport, the airport is located between Interstate 45 and Highway 59, inside the Houston city limits in the Aldine area, adjacent to Humble. The Airport served 39,865,325 passengers in 2013^[3] making it the 28th busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic and the 12th busiest for total passengers in North America. The airport has flights to parts of the United States, as well as to Central and South America, Europe, Canada, Africa and Asia. Airlines operating from the airport are Aeromexico, Air Canada Express, Air China, Air France,British Airways, American Airlines, US Airways, Singapore Airlines and so on.

Contact Details:
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
2800 North Terminal Road
Houston, Texas 77032
Phone: 281-230-3100
Lost and found: 281-230-3299
Fax: 281-230-3108
Website: http://www.airport-houston.com/

San Antonio International Airport

San Antonio International Airport provides commercial airline service for the South Texas region. The airport^[4]covers 2,600 acres and is the primary airport serving the San Antonio metropolitan area. Over 13 domestic and international airlines provide regular commercial service to the airport. Airlines operating from San Antonio International Airport are Aero Mexico, Alaska airlines, Delta, Interjet, US Airways, Volaris Airlines and so on.

Contact Details:
San Antonio International Airport
9800 Airport Blvd.
San Antonio, TX 78216
Phone: 210.207.3433
Website: www.sanantonio.gov/sat

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is run by the City of Austin Aviation Department. Airlines operating from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport^[5] are Aeromar, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, US Airways, JetBlue Airways, Virgin America and so on.

Contact Details:
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
3600 Presidential Blvd.
Austin, TX 78719
Airport Maps
Phone: 512-530-ABIA (2242)
Website: www.austintexas.gov/airport

William P. Hobby airport

William P. Hobby is city's second largest airport. It has been serving the Houston community for more than 80 years. The airport is located approximately seven miles south of downtown Houston, near I-45/Gulf Freeway, the major highway heading from the City to NASA and Galveston Island. Flights operating from the airport are AirTran Airlines, American Airlines, Branson Air Express, JetBlue Airways, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines.

Contact Details:
William P. Hobby Airport
7800 Airport Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77061
Phone: 713.640.3000
Fax: 713.641.7703
Website: http://www.fly2houston.com/hou-About-HOU

Rail Transportation in Texas

Rail traffic plays a vital role in the state’s commerce and travel. The Texas Department of Transportation oversees rail planning in the state. The Rail Division manages railroad planning, at-grade rail crossings, inspection, management of the South Orient Railroad and oversight of rail public transit safety. Texas has 9,784 public highway and rail crossings and leads all other states in total rail route miles, with 10,384.

Seasonal and special Trains in Texas

There are some special and seasonal trains in Texas. Check them out:

Texas State Railroad

Image source: https://www.texasstaterr.com/

The Texas State Railroad is a historic 25-mile railroad between Rusk and Palestine, Texas. Located approximately 3 hours from Houston and 2 hours from Dallas, it is a privately operated authority. These depots are located on US Hwy 84 between Rusk, Texas and Palestine, Texas.

Important contact numbers of Texas State Railroad:

Palestine Convention & Visitors Bureau
825 Spring Street
Palestine, TX 75801
Phone: (903) 723-3014 or (800) 659-3484
Website: www.palestinetexas.net

Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce
401 West Main Street
Palestine, Texas 75801
Phone: (903) 729-6066
Website: www.palestinechamber.org

Rusk Texas Chamber of Commerce
415 North Main – P.O. Box 67
Rusk, TX 75785
Phone: (903) 683-4242 or 1-800-933-2381
Website: www.RuskChamber.com

Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce
526 E. Commerce
Jacksonville, Texas 75766
Phone: (903) 586-2217 or 1-800-376-2217
Website: www.jacksonvilletexas.com

Tyler Convention & Visitors Bureau
15 N. Broadway Ave.
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: 1-800-235-5712
Website: www.visittyler.com

Grapevine Vintage Railroad

Image source: http://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad offers a variety of seasonal and special train experiences throughout the year. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad offers three excursions during most of the year: Round Trip Grapevine to the Historic Stockyards, Stockyards Trinity River Ride and Grapevine Fun Trains.

Contact Details:
705 South Main Street, Grapevine, TX 76051, United States
Phone: 1 817-410-3185
Website: http://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/grapevine-vintage-railroad/

Historic Jefferson Railway

Image source: http://www.jeffersonrailway.com/

This train was built in 1964. The train ride gives you the opportunity to explore the scenic beauty along the Big Cypress Bayou. The Railway servs as an important part of the thriving community of Jefferson and feature notable events all year round.

Contact details
Jefferson Railway
400 East Austin
Jefferson, TX 75657
Phone: 8663982038
Website: http://www.jeffersonrailway.com/

Austin Steam Train

The train journey assures vintage passengers cars for a relaxing journey to the past. The seasonal schedule offers options throughout the year. The train runs primarily on the weekend. A few weekday rides is available in March, June, July and August.

Contact Details:
Austin Steam Train Association
401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste C-100, Cedar Park TX 78613
Phone: 512.477.8468
Fax: 512.477.8633
Email: info@austinsteamtrain.org
Office Hours
Monday: Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday: 8:30am - 10:30am
Website: www.austinsteamtrain.org

Water Transportation in Texas

The state of Texas is also notable for its marine transportation. There are several ports along the Gulf Coast transporting freight entering and leaving Texas. As part of the highway system, ferries are also operated by the Texas Department of Transportation in Galveston and Port Aransas. These ferries are in service year-round and 24 hours a day. The Maritime Division of the department promotes marine infrastructure and operations and supports the development and intermodal connectivity of Texas ports and the Texas stetch of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Ports in Texas are:

Texas Ports Association

Image source: http://www.texasports.org/

The Texas Ports Association looks after the development of Texas ports, enabling them to compete with ports outside Texas and thereby strengthen the economy of Texas.

Contact Details:
Texas Ports Association
1000 Foust Road
Brownsville, Texas 78521
Phone:956-831-4592
President
Eduardo Campirano
Port of Brownsville
Phone: 956-831-4592
Mail: eacampirano@portofbrownsville.com
Website: www.texasports.org

Port of Texas City

The Port of Texas City / Texas City Terminal Railway Company is the eighth largest port of 153 port in the United States and the third largest in Texas with water borne tonnage exceeding 78 million net tons.

Contact Details:
1560 Dock Road, Texas City, TX 77590, United States
Phone: 1 409-945-5011
Website: www.tctrr.com

Port of Houston

Image source: http://www.portofhouston.com/

Located near the Gulf of Mexico, the Port of Houston is one of the world’s busiest^[6] ports. The port is ranked first in US in foreign waterborne tonnage. The port is also recognized as first import and export of US. Handling 65 % of all major project cargo of US the port is also the country's leading break bulk port. The Port of has played a major role in the city's development as an international trade center.

Contact Details:
The Port of Houston Authority
111 East Loop North
Houston, Texas USA 77029
P.O. Box 2562
Houston, Texas USA 77252-2562
Phone: 713-670-2400
Website: http://www.portofhouston.com/

Port of Galveston

The Port is located on the upper Texas coast at the mouth of beautiful Galveston Bay, which is just 30 minutes steaming time from the open sea. This Port ranks as the fourth busiest cruise port in the U.S. based upon embarkation.

Contact Details:
Administration: (409) 766-6183
Executive: (409) 766-6105
Finance: (409) 766-6146
Government Affairs: (409) 766-6121
Website: http://www.portofgalveston.com/

References:

Texas Department of Transportation

Texas transportation facts

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

San Antinio International Airport

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Port of Houston