UPDATED: TxDOT creates Twitter accounts in most Texas cities except Dallas and Fort Worth

Updated 04:52 p.m., August 19, 2009

by Sarah Blaskovich

FORT WORTH — You may never have thought you'd want to be Facebook friends with a governmental entity, but as of recently, the option's there. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) made the splash that they'd be utilizing Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter as ways to communicate with the public about Texas department updates.

This isn't someone in Dallas-Fort Worth, that's for sure.

But while Facebook and YouTube posts are state-wide, their Twitter accounts are tailored to major metropolitan areas -- leaving out Dallas and Fort Worth. You'll find @TxDOTAustin and @TxDOTHoustonPIO, but no Dallas or Fort Worth feeds. (To be clear, there is also a TxDOT statewide Twitter account that does not share specialized info about specific cities, which is why each city has created their own.)

Fort Worth TxDOT spokesperson Val Lopez says that it's “easier” for them to keep Fort Worth's news online and out of Twitter right now. “Yoakum [a smaller city east of San Antonio] can put their lane closures on Twitter and fully accommodate what's going on. We couldn't do that in DFW – there's too much going on,” Lopez said.

But still, the biggest cities in Texas have TxDOT Twitter names. So why is DFW behind the curve? Drivers could check TxDOT's Twitter updates on their phones, which could be a useful and immediate tool if they're sitting in traffic. (It's pretty unsafe to check your phone while driving, but we can't pretend people don't do it.)

Lopez says when they're having a traffic emergency, they rely on the radio to send out their news instead. “Those traffic services get it on the radio in about a minute and a half. Twitter couldn't replace that,” he said.

They're also still figuring out what to use Twitter for, he said. So the solid answer is they're thinkin' about it. “We're not doing it yet, but we're looking at it in the future,” Lopez said.

UPDATE: After running this story, Pegasus News acquired the Twitter feeds @TxDOTDallas, @TxDOTFortWorth, and @TXDOTDFW since the local TxDOT offices wouldn't be using them. We have linked them to our local transportation updates so readers can get information about roads. After reporting this, TxDOT reacted, acquiring @TxDOTDallasPIO and @TxDOTFTWPIO. Both feeds were acquired by TxDOT on August 7, the date that this original story ran.

TxDOT appears to be pretty upset. You can read all about it in this blog post. We are in talks with TxDOT to hand over the original Twitter feeds so they can use them accordingly.

Staff
Verified User
Anonymous

WOW! The stupidity shines in the area once again, let me tell ya. Once more we're behind the curve of the rest of the state when it comes to TxDot accordingly. Im thinking its a political issue IMHO..

Chris Kidd Verified

3 months, 2 weeks ago
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I think they just don't want people tooting complaints at them.

Hm, I wonder how much it would cost to have my car automatically make a toot every time it paid the tolls. "Just paid $1.27 to go to the airport. Please cut my brake lines."

Pavel Lishin Verified

3 months, 2 weeks ago
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We've just claimed the twitter accounts:

@TxDOTDallas @TxDOTFortWorth @TXDOTDFW

and will start posting DOT alerts to them. Never leave to government what private industry is willing to do.

Mike Orren Staff

3 months, 2 weeks ago
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I wouldn't exactly consider it behind the curve...primarily because I despise Twitter and all who support it, especially media peeps shoving it down everyone's throat.

Stay off my digital lawn!

Scott Doyle Verified

3 months, 2 weeks ago
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So this is the wrong time to announce that we're going all-Twitter and abandoning the web? ;-)

Mike Orren Staff

3 months, 2 weeks ago
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HOW TWEET IT IS............

alexander troup Verified

3 months, 2 weeks ago
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http://twitter.com/fireland

That's all I've got to say on the subject.

Pavel Lishin Verified

3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Diamond in the rough isn't worth keeping it around as a whole, Pavel. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT THE GREATER GOOD, YOU COMMUNIST JERK

Not to mention, just realized I'm less than 200 posts away from dethroning Miko and running the joint via comments.

Scott Doyle Verified

3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Who cares if TXDot is on Twitter or not? Twitter is only good for one thing... STALKING, i mean FOLLOWING.....

david torres Verified

3 months, 1 week ago
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Probably because the PR person in Dallas for TxDOT is our booted out Denton County Commissioner Cynthia White. There's a reason she lost her GOP primary last year. I digress :) Maybe she can send a press release on it.