Transportation officials from 18 states and Washington D.C. joined TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration for the Bridging the Gap Symposium this week. More than 150 public servants met in Austin July 24 and 25 to exchange ideas and discuss strategies to address the issue of the unhoused camping on state-owned right of way.
“We have a unique opportunity to learn from each other,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Together we can create even better solutions for addressing homelessness.”
The theme of the symposium was “Be the bridge of hope in your community.”
“There is a theme that was repeated during this conference about partnerships,” said TxDOT Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson. “We could not do the type of work we’re doing without the partnerships we have.”
Attendees from state departments of transportation participated in a series of panel discussions, tours, and networking sessions focusing on early engagement, guidelines, and displacement mitigation.
“This symposium is important because it starts a national dialog on how DOTs can engage in addressing homelessness,” said TxDOT Deputy Austin District Engineer Mike Arellano.
TxDOT’s Bridging the Gap Symposium was designed to be a catalyst for groundbreaking advancements in addressing homelessness across the nation, officials said.
“My heart is warm by all the work that you’re doing today,” FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt said. “There are many people who have come through the Esperanza Community, and they’re on a path to something better.”
