Williamson County Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long is the recipient of the 2022 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Road Hand Award. She was recognized for the award Feb. 7 at the State Transportation Forum.
The Road Hand Award was created in 1973 and is the Texas Department of Transportation’s highest tribute to citizens who have freely given their time, energy, support and vision toward accomplishing important transportation programs or projects in their communities, their region or the entire state.
“Transportation is vital to a healthy community and its economic success,” said Commissioner Cynthia Long. “I am honored to represent a thriving and vibrant community that encourages me to solve transportation challenges. I am humbled to be recognized by The Texas Department of Transportation for my contributions.”
During her career, Long has helped shape transportation policy and prioritize funding in Central Texas. She worked with the legislature and TxDOT to streamline the Department’s environmental review process. She delivered a number of transformative projects in Williamson County after voters approved two road bond programs totaling $722 million. On the board of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), she helped secure billions of dollars to reconstruct and add new lanes to I-35 as well as securing hundreds of millions to add frontage roads to 183A through Cedar Park.
“Commissioner Long’s passion and her leadership have been an important part of regional transportation successes. She has been a champion for transportation projects not only in Williamson County but in our region. I appreciate her efforts and collaborative approach, and I am glad we were able to recognize her outstanding contributions,” said Tucker Ferguson, TxDOT district engineer.
“Commissioner Long’s welldeserved honor is a reflection of the hard work, partnership with local and state partners, and visionary leadership that is needed in a fast growing region like ours. Her contributions and efforts to improve transportation in the Central Texas region and the state of Texas cannot be overstated,” said Ashby Johnson, executive director of CAMPO.
Long has served as the Precinct 2 commissioner since 2007. In 2020, Long became the first woman to chair the CAMPO Transportation Policy Board and is also the first person from Williamson County to hold this position. She also sits on the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) Executive Committee.
