How to Avoid Permit Delays for Road Work Projects in Texas

One of the most common reasons construction timelines fall behind isn’t weather, crew availability, or even material delays—it’s permit issues. For contractors working in the public right-of-way, right-of-way and traffic control permits can make or break a schedule.

Cities across Texas, especially in the DFW area, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, each have their own unique processes, timelines, and submittal requirements. Missing just one item—or submitting an outdated layout—can set your project back days, even weeks.

Here’s how to stay ahead of the process and avoid the most common mistakes that lead to rejections and delays.

1. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Submit

Many contractors underestimate how long it takes for traffic permits to be reviewed. Some cities, like San Antonio, offer faster turnaround—sometimes within 3 business days for simple TCPs. But Dallas and Fort Worth often require 5 to 10 business days or more, depending on the scope and the current workload of the permitting office.

What you can do:
Build at least 1–2 weeks of lead time into your project calendar for submittal and potential revision. Don’t schedule lane closures or rentals until you have an approved permit in hand.

2. Check Every Detail Before You Submit

Cities don’t just look at the traffic control plan layout—they review everything from site location accuracy to the use of proper symbols and MUTCD spacing.

Common reasons permits get rejected:

• TCPs not stamped by a licensed engineer (when required)

• Incorrect street names or limits on the plan

• Missing dates or unclear work durations

• Equipment listed that doesn't meet local requirements
  

What to do:
Have someone familiar with local permitting standards review your packet before you hit send. Even experienced superintendents miss small errors that cost valuable time.

3. Understand Each City’s Preferences

Every city in Texas has its own expectations. In Fort Worth, for example, closures near schools or hospitals may need extra review time. In Dallas, closures that impact intersections often require detour coordination with multiple departments.

Meanwhile, suburban cities like Irving, Grand Prairie, or Round Rock may require digital submittals through portals like eTRAKiT—and reject PDFs that don’t match their naming or layer guidelines.

Pro tip:
If you’ve worked in one city, don’t assume those rules apply everywhere else. Permitting is local, and the best results come from tailoring your application to that jurisdiction.

4. Be Ready to Respond Quickly to Revisions

Even if you submit a clean application, reviewers often come back with comments. If you wait too long to revise and resubmit, your review clock restarts—or worse, your closure dates may no longer be available.

How to avoid it:
Designate someone on your team to check for updates daily and respond within 24 hours to keep the process moving. The faster you address comments, the faster the permit gets approved.

5. Partner With a Team That Knows the Process

The truth is, permits are paperwork—but also strategy. Knowing who to call, when to follow up, and how to align your work schedule with city review cycles can save you from missed deadlines and unhappy clients.

That’s why many contractors in Texas rely on third-party permitting specialists to handle it all—from drawings to final approval.

Let Trafico Handle the Red Tape

At Trafico, we work behind the scenes to keep your project in motion. We manage traffic control plans and submit permits to city, county, and TxDOT offices across Texas, including DFW, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston.

Here’s how we help:

• Accurate, Texas MUTCD-compliant plans

• Knowledge of specific city requirements and common reviewer preferences

• Fast revisions and real-time tracking

• Professional Engineers on Staff

• Permit filing and follow-up so you can focus on the work

Permitting Requires Experience — Let Trafico Handle It

Whether you need a TXDOT TCP permit or city Right-of-Way permit, Trafico has the experience to help expedite permitting submittals.

👉 Reach out today or call us for help with your permitting needs.