Posted on 05/16/2007 8:27:11 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
The state's ability to develop public-private partnerships - as envisioned with the Trans-Texas Corridor - is critical to complete long-sought transportation improvements and economic development from Laredo to north of Amarillo, according to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Coalition.
"Partnerships that pool federal, state, local and private sector resources will be needed to make Ports-to-Plains a reality and there are several opportunities for that to occur," said Michael Reeves, president of the Lubbock-based coalition.
A new study prepared by Cambridge Systematics, Inc. for the Texas Department of Transportation concludes that enhancements to rail, electric transmission lines and highways would improve mobility, safety and economic opportunity along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. The improvements would allow for better transport of existing and emerging industries, including cotton, ethanol and energy generated by wind power.
"It's not just about moving more people and more cars," said Reeves. "When you can find better, cheaper, faster ways to get West Texas products to market, the stronger you make our economy and improve quality of life. We can't achieve these goals without private sector innovation and investment."
Key finding of the report, "Trans-Texas Corridor Rural Development Opportunities: Ports-to Plains Case Study," include:
The study team also developed a framework to evaluate the potential for Trans-Texas Corridor development in other rural corridors of the State.
"Much to its credit, TxDOT understands what works for metropolitan areas may not work for rural Texas," said Reeves. "Instead of taking a cookie cutter approach the department has worked with us to find ways to meet the transportation needs of our region that will be good for all Texans."
To see the complete Ports-to-Plains report (click here) or visit TxDOT's Web site (click here).
The Ports-to-Plains Corridor extends for 1,390 miles from the U.S./Mexico border in Texas through portions of Oklahoma and New Mexico to Denver, Colorado.
The Ports-to-Plains Corridor Coalition formally advocates for transportation and economic development in the corridor and, since its formation nearly a decade ago, has obtained federal and state funding for many transportation improvements, especially for expansion of existing highway routes from two to four lanes. Currently, about half corridor's mileage has either been upgraded to four- or six-lane divided highway or is in the design or construction phase of development.
Route funds mulled; Corridor could be partnership
County quits Alliance for I-69
Vote to withdraw from organization is unanimous
By BILL MURPHY
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to withdraw the county's membership in the Alliance for I-69 Texas, an organization that has supported converting U.S. 59 into an interstate highway.
"It's no longer an alliance for I-69," said County Judge Ed Emmett.
"It's an alliance for the Trans-Texas Corridor."
Emmett said the county joined the alliance to help build support for upgrading U.S. 59 to an interstate, not to promote building the Trans-Texas Corridor — a proposed network of toll roads, railways, and pipelines crisscrossing the state.
The I-69 Alliance now supports a corridor toll road, some of which would run parallel to U.S. 59.
John Thompson, I-69 Alliance chairman and Polk county judge, said he still favors converting the present road into an interstate through East Texas, with the toll road being used mainly by heavy trucks going long distances.
The vote on Emmett's motion to withdraw from the organization was unanimous.
Emmett became irked when the I-69 Alliance earlier this month asked Gov. Rick Perry to veto a state transportation bill because it includes a two-year moratorium on long-term contracts between the state and private firms to build and operate toll roads for profit.
The county wants the bill signed into law because another largely unrelated provision would empower the Harris County Toll Road Authority to build toll roads on Texas Department of Transportation right of way.
A TxDOT spokesman has declined to comment on the legislation or whether the department favors building a toll road or I-69.
Harris County this year paid a $50,000 membership fee to the alliance, a coalition of counties, towns, chambers of commerce and others.
It will ask the alliance to return more than two-thirds of this year's fees.
Trans-Texas Corridor PING!
BTTT
bump.
Is that called Socialism or Fascism? Oh wait, now it's called "Free Trade".
Depends upon who's the horse and who's the cart. The horse in this instance appears to be private, so it's fascism.
“Port-to-Plains” Corridor
Sounds better than “All-Our-Eggs-In-One-Basket” Corridor... a basket we won’t own or control.
I want a rebate for all the gas taxes I’ve paid over the years if anyone starts turning free roads into toll roads.
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