Collin County’s Infrastructure Crisis: A Call to Action

This article is a featured student guest post and submission to the 2024 Aii student OpEd scholarship competition.

Collin County, Texas is growing fast. New businesses are opening, neighborhoods are expanding, and our workforce is becoming more diverse. All of this points to a bright future ahead. But there is a catch here, and the catch is that we have not sufficiently invested in the infrastructure needed for sustainable growth. Crumbling roads, aged pipes and wires, and insufficient buses and trains may hinder the growth so rigoursly cultivated here.

As a result, the problems though they are not always clear, interfere with our lives at all times. Our roads are cracked, potholed, and clogged. The Texas Department of Transportation has stated that our roads are stretched to the limit. They cannot sustainably accommodate the growing population. This concerns everyone, from children vulnerable to dangerous roads while cycling or walking, to motorists spending excessive time in traffic. If appropriate action is not taken, these concerns will ultimately hinder the very progress we’ve achieved.

Another area where Collin County is struggling is public transportation. Dallas has a decent public transportation system, but Collin County has only a handful of buses, no trains, and minimal options for those who cannot drive. Unfortunately, this absence of public transport affects the elderly who rarely get around, low-income individuals, and young people entering the workforce. The North Texas Regional Mobility Authority reports that limited transit options push more people to use cars, leading to further traffic congestion. To most residents, congestion and the confusion of the current public transport system is more than inconvenient; it effectively excludes some people from equal opportunities while compounding economic costs in the form of delays and lost productivity.

The consequences of ignoring these problems are significant. High traffic demands time and effort, which lowers the quality of life for many. A Texas A&M Transportation Institute published a study revealing that traffic congestion in the DFW area has increased travel times by 50 percent over the last decade, leading to wasted time and money. For those without a personal vehicle, the situation is even worse, as it impacts young people commuting to their first job, sick individuals, and elderly people who urgently need medical care or other services. The American Public Transportation Association validated that poor public transportation systems mean not only headaches but missed potential.

So, what can we do about it? Collin County needs substantial infrastructural development to meet the demands of growth. First, our roads need urgent maintenance and repair. Reconstruction of existing streets, extending main arteries, and employing innovative traffic control technologies will decrease traffic density and increase safety. These efforts should be part of a long-term strategic plan that evolves as the county grows.

We also have to provide for the improvement of our public transport – enhancing public transport systems, reducing traffic congestion, enhancing the convenience of getting around, and diminishing over reliance on small automobiles. Measures feasible for the plan’s development include increasing the availability of buses, creating park-and-ride facilities, and incorporating light rail operations into the plan. PPPs in other areas have been able to sail through, which could be the best option for Collin County. Thus the argument for investing in infrastructure at this level of development is more costly in the long run not to do so. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, such delays only result in expensive compounded repair needs, adverse environmental impact, and poorer quality of life.

Collin County is fortunate in that it can be a pioneer among growing areas facing similar problems. Upgrading our infrastructure would strengthen our community and provide a foundation for sustainable growth. We cannot allow potholes, aging utilities, and traffic jams to become the rhythm of daily life. The few things that we do today will determine whether Collin County is going to be among the up-and-coming developed regions or it will be among the regions we are going to read as having been destroyed by reckless leadership. Enough talk — it is about time to act to achieve a better future for all of us.

Written by Dirhut Shafik, student at Collin County College