Michael Morris, transportation director for the council of governments, said delays at the federal level prompted the interim funding request \u2014 and other projects totaling $500 million could be delayed or even eliminated if the federal dollars are further delayed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s certainly taking a little longer than I thought,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Per federal rules, the council of governments must pay invoices within 30 days and then seek reimbursement. Those bills will add up and could hamper the council\u2019s ability to pay for future transit projects, Morris said.<\/p>\n
More delays could occur after a Wednesday memo from the White House budget office told federal agencies to prepare plans for mass firings should the government shut down, CNN reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n Federal funding concerns are prompting the Fort Worth City Council to consider spending $100,000 to retain a law firm as outside counsel for the issue, according to the Sept. 30 council agenda.<\/p>\n Morris wondered what effect a potential shutdown could have releasing other promised funds for projects. The council of governments is still awaiting reimbursement for some invoices submitted as far back as 2022, including a $34 million sidewalk project in southern Dallas.<\/p>\n Grants are written about six to eight months before they are submitted to the state for approval. Those applications then are sent to federal transportation authorities who issue a notice to proceed with construction work if approved.<\/p>\n Morris said council of governments\u2019 staff may need to submit requests even sooner than before.<\/p>\n \u201cProjects could be delayed or may never happen,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Council of governments staff is working with the Texas Department of Transportation to access approved federal funding for staff expenses to advance the regional initiatives.<\/p>\n \u201cThe funding agreement has been executed; however, the timeline for receipt of federal authorization to begin spending funds under the agreement is unknown,\u201d according to a RTC report.<\/p>\n The interim funding approved Sept. 11 allows programs to continue until federal funding is received, officials said.<\/p>\n As North Texas\u2019 population booms with a projected 4 million residents<\/a> expected over the next 25 years, transportation leaders plan to develop more mixed-use, transit-oriented developments that provide denser housing.<\/p>\n Trinity Metro, Fort Worth\u2019s transit agency, is hiring<\/a> a director of economic development to develop strategies for developments near train stations and key transit corridors as a TEXRail expansion<\/a> is planned. The agency has seven train stations to develop with an eighth planned in the Medical District. Some land near stations is also being developed by property owners.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to put our properties in play,\u201d Richard Andreski, president and CEO of Trinity Metro, said.<\/p>\n Fort Worth\u2019s Moving a Million<\/a> plan emphasizes safety and mobility programs that include plans for more paths for pedestrian and bicycle use.<\/p>\n The interim funding will aid such programs, officials said.<\/p>\n Funding cuts<\/a> by President Donald Trump are aimed at eliminating \u201cwaste, fraud and abuse\u201d<\/a> out of the federal budget. Cuts implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, are significantly impacting local agencies and nonprofits<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program<\/a> identified more than $8.4 billion in road and transit projects for North Texas, including several for Tarrant County. Those projects, which include federal funding, are expected to be completed within four years, according to the council of governments. Several road projects are under construction or in the preconstruction phase.<\/p>\n Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n News decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Goss-TEXRail-12.jpg\")
Passengers board the TEXRail train June 12, 2025, in downtown Fort Worth. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
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