Over the next decade Texas is expected to see unprecedented growth necessitated by the approximately 1,400 people moving into the state every day. To keep pace with this growth, it is estimated the state will require:
- 15-50 million more tons of aggregate;
- 3-10 million more yards of ready-mix concrete; and
- 1-3 million more tons of cement.
That’s a lot of infrastructure material.
To highlight that fact, the Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association (TACA) has launched the WeRTexas campaign to build awareness of the aggregates, concrete, cement and other associated industries, with a spotlight on the employees who make it possible.
“Few people realize how much material is required to build the things they take for granted every day as they go about their busy lives,” says TACA President and CEO David Perkins. “We launched the WeRTexas campaign so that Texas lawmakers, residents and businesses are aware of how important these industries are to the quality of our lives, how the materials are produced, and that TACA member companies are the ones who deliver these essentials to the community every day, safely and reliably.”
Here are a few more startling numbers. By 2050, Texas will need:
- 124-179 million more tons of aggregate;
- 25-36 million more yards of ready-mix concrete; and
- 7.5-11 million more tons of cement.
These are the materials that build our homes, hospitals, schools, highways, businesses and other critical infrastructure. For example, a residential home takes 100 yards of concrete, a mile of six-lane highway 15,000 yards, a hospital 30,000 yards, and a high school football stadium 100,000 yards.
For more information on how TACA member companies enhance our daily lives, or to get involved, please visit www.tx-taca.org/wertexas/.
Sources: United States Geological Survey, Office of Texas State Demographer, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Portland Cement Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association
