I-69 route gains funds with federal recognition

Corpus Christi Caller-Times ^ | September 13, 2007 | Fanny S. Chirinos

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The Interstate 69 corridor, a Mexico-to-Canada concept discussed since 1991, has received government recognition as a "corridor of the future," a designation that immediately means $800,000 in federal money for studies.

Local officials say it could mean more trade in South Texas.

The corridor -- a 2,680-mile international trade route from Mexico to Canada also known as the Trans-Texas Corridor-69 -- was one of two designated Tuesday as corridors of the future. Interstate 10 from California to Florida also received recognition.

Hailed as a route that would facilitate trade resulting from the North American Free Trade Agreement, I-69's Texas portion includes a corridor from Texarkana to Houston, then Victoria where it could branch out to Laredo, McAllen and/or Brownsville.

An environmental study, begun in 2004 to help determine the route from Victoria, is expected by the end of the year, said Frances Garza, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Transportation.

I-69 has been the subject of multiple studies. It has stalled because the state doesn't have the money to pay for it, transportation officials have said. Dick Messbarger, executive director of the Greater Kingsville Economic Development Council, said having any of the state highways achieve interstate designation would make those routes more attractive to shipping companies coming from Mexico and Canada. Interstates allow nonstop travel, with overpasses at intersections preventing the need for traffic lights or stop signs.

"(Achieving that designation) appears to us to be a much more achievable plan than tons of money coming in for I-69," Messbarger said. "The Valley is the largest population concentration area in the U.S. that doesn't have an interstate highway. That's the problem. Whether I-69 or some other corridor fixes it is not the point. It's getting it done."

The federal recognition of the project opens the door to more federal funding and might allow states to have more of a say in planning it, said Judy Hawley, a member of the Alliance of I-69's executive committee. A meeting of the alliance is scheduled on Friday in the Valley, she said.

"We're going to discuss, among other things, forming regional planning groups with the counties affected by this corridor," Hawley said. "There might be one, two or three groups come out of this that will have a lot of responsibility."

Responsibilities might include determining if parts of the proposed corridor are needed, the viability of those segments and how to fund those parts, Hawley said. Although U.S. highways 77 and 281 and State Highway 44 might become part of I-69, the point has been to have an interstate northward from the Rio Grande Valley.

"Whether it becomes I-69 or I-37 South doesn't matter, so long as we achieve interstate standards," Hawley said.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Toll Roadblock

In Shipping Shape: How to make the most of our inland ports

China mega-port catalyst for NAFTA Superhighway

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Trans-Texas Corridor PING!

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

An environmental study, begun in 2004 to help determine the route from Victoria, is expected by the end of the year, said Frances Garza, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Transportation.

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Environmental Impact. No doubt there are some kangaroo rats and spotted owls and wetlands that must not be disturbed. Right?

[nicmarlo]

The corridor -- a 2,680-mile international trade route from Mexico to Canada also known as the Trans-Texas Corridor-69 -- was one of two designated Tuesday as corridors of the future. Interstate 10 from California to Florida also received recognition.

Hailed as a route that would facilitate trade resulting from the North American Free Trade Agreement, I-69's Texas portion includes a corridor from Texarkana to Houston, then Victoria where it could branch out to Laredo, McAllen and/or Brownsville.

fyi ping....and a "little" map I'm posting, thrown in as a "freebie" visual for 'something which doesn't exist."

There isn't just one NAFTA corridor planned;
there are several ~ Tom Guy
(including railways to help with the American sell-out express):

News coming on the NAFTA Rail road along the super-corridor

[Borax Queen]

nooooooooo

[nicmarlo]

siiiiiiiii

[Poundstone]

I’m all for a Mexico-to-Canada expressway, as long as (1) there are no exit ramps in the United States; (2) all construction costs are paid by Mexico and Canada; and (3) it’s a toll road, with all proceeds going to the states hosting the road.

[Ben Ficklin]

I-69 got screwed with only 800 grand.

The other designees were:

I-95 $21.8 mil
I-70 $5 mil
I-15 $15 mil
I-5 $15 mil
I-10 $8.6 mil

Poor old Corsi. The I-35 Super Duper NAFTA Highway was not designated and got zero dollars

[Jason_b]

Why do you say poor Corsi? Are you referring to Jerome Corsi?

[Ben Ficklin]

Jerome Corsi has woven his conspiracy theory around I-35.

[MondoQueen]

Did anyone read of the sabotage on the Mexico Oil Pipeline? Did anyone read of who took credit for the bombing? There is a Communist organization in Mexico which took credit for it. How will we keep the communists out of this country if they get into Mexico? They like to get into countries which have corrupt governments. Could this country be a stabilizing influence on Mexico? We need a good relationship with Mexico so that we can help keep out the undesirables in their country as well as ours.

Since we can’t build new refineries in this country, and we could in Mexico; since California wants to ban all diesel fuel (which would impact the ports and the ships and all building of new ports), and Mexico doesn’t have such environmentalists, would it help us to make use of their ports and ship cargo into this country easily?

And, by the way, the trucks of the one company in Mexico that will be able to drive into this country, are made in the United States.

[endthematrix]

Wrong.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Ben Ficklin]

Now that’s a convincing argument.

[endthematrix]

If you say up is down, how can I convince you otherwise?

I-69: Yet Another NAFTA Super-Highway
by Jerome R. Corsi (09/12/2006)

Wider Panama Canal Would Aid Chinese (I-95)
by Jerome R. Corsi (09/05/2006)

“Miami’s intermodal prospects for attracting an increasing volume of Chinese import are enhanced by the plans to develop I-95 as the “CAFTA corridor.” An organization known as the “I-95 Corridor Coalition” has formed as “an alliance of transportation agencies, toll authorities, and related organizations, including law enforcement, from the State of Maine to the State of Florida, with affiliate members in Canada.” We have separately argued that Governor Jeb Bush’s recently announced $491 million deal to purchase rights-of-way from CSX railroad was intended to position CSX to be a NAFTA railroad, not to promote light rail commuter train development in Orlando, as publicly positioned in the media.”

[Ben Ficklin]

Precisely the point. The conspiracy gets wider and wider and wider and wider. Corsi sounds kookier and kookier and kookier and kookier. Well Jerome, which NAFTA highway should we worry about? Should we be more upset about the deep water ports in Mexico, or British Columbia, or Pakistan? Should we be more alarmed about the Dubai transportation hub or the Panama transportation hub? Should we be more concerned about the cross continent railroad in Canada or Columbia?

The reality is that international trade is growing and the whole world is planning and building transportation infrastructure to accomodate the increase. And, where needed or appropriate, the transportation infrastructure is being intergrated.

[Jason_b]

That's what I thought. But just because someone has a conspiracy theory doesn't mean they want it to be true. If and when Corsi realizes the theory had no basis in fact, I'd expect him to be relieved and find something else to occupy his time.

I use a medical analogy. I find a lump on my arm. Fears of cancer flood my thoughts, I do research, I talk to friends. This is the mode of thinking the conspiracy theorist has, to have seen a sign and to warn. This is all Corsi or any conspiracy theorist does. Doesn't mean I want cancer. I go to the doctor and get a biopsy. It turns out to be a cyst that is easily removed. I'm glad it wasn't cancer. I am not disappointed my conspiracy theory turned out to be nothing.

Does this crude analogy work?

[Ben Ficklin]

"Does this crude analogy work?"

It works for me. But Corsi isn't writing for me, he is writing for those with an apocalyptic mindset.

[yorkie]

>> siiiiiiiii <<

Ah ha. I see we are learning Spanish and using it on FR!

(snicker) ;-)

[nicmarlo]

I learned Spanish 30 years ago, and had to take a FOREIGN language again last summer for grad school....so, of course, I took the FOREIGN LANGUAGE of Spanish....it seems more important now since this government appears to be writing in “code” to the people to whom they’re pandering and representing, south of the border.