Posted on 06/12/2008 6:19:43 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
State highway officials said Wednesday that the first step in carrying out their decision to build a controversial toll road along the present U.S. 59, and not through farm and ranch land, is to get federal approval.
Although no federal funding has been sought for the Interstate 69/Trans-Texas Corridor, the Texas Department of Transportation is bound by federal environmental law. The project has generated thick volumes about its likely impact on the natural environment and the communities in its path.
The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is expected to undergo public review late this year and then get sent to the Federal Highway Administration for approval, TxDOT said.
With federal approval, the agency said, "plans for a separate new corridor would be dropped ... and the existing infrastructure would serve as the study area for future environmental review."
That infrastructure is the right-of-way of U.S. 59 and parts of U.S. 281, U.S. 77 and Texas 44. TxDOT spokesman Chris Lippincott said the change in plans should not require any new environmental studies, since the existing roads already have been evaluated.
"If anything, we'll save money on the studies from here on out," he said.
It was not immediately known how much TxDOT has spent to study other routes, or how the cost of additional right of way along U.S. 59 would compare with that in the rural areas it had considered.
Also unknown was whether the change in plans would make the project less attractive for a private development partner, which TxDOT is seeking to build the road, then maintain and operate it for profit.
Elected officials generally praised the change. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, called it "a major victory for Texas private property owners, businesses, farmers and ranchers."
"By using existing right of way, TxDOT will more efficiently utilize taxpayer dollars while also limiting the negative impact on farm land and businesses," she said in a statement.
U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, who had asked TxDOT to drop plans for the corridor in rural areas, said the change "allows the congressional delegation to work closely with Texas officials to find the resources to bring U.S. 59 up to interstate standards."
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, speaking Wednesday in Houston, said, "The truth is, you can't build toll roads in rural Texas. There's just not enough traffic."
Trans-Texas Corridor PING!
BTTT
Part of the reasoning behind the move from the 69 corridor to the 59 corridor may be because Oklahoma was mounting opposition.
By using the 59 corridor, they have the option of going north through Oklahoma (Hwy 59) if the opposition is settled or Arkansas (Hwy 59) to the primary destination of Kansas City.
Tell me. What does this proposed highway do that other highways in Texas don’t do? Why the opposition?
I’m simply asking out of a lack of knowledge since I don’t live in Texas...but people act as if it’s a direct route to Mexico City, yet, it won’t have any more connection to Mexico than I-35 or US 77/83 do now...I just don’t see what this road does that other existing roads don’t do.
First as an issue in Texas on the concept of the TTC System and how roads are funded(free or toll).
Second, as an issue, to some, that the roads are part of a conspiracy to destroy America.
Generally, each issue has separate threads at FR. This thread is not a kook thread, tho the kooks could arrive later.
Well, if I-69 were fully built out as a Trans-Texas Corridor, it would have three lanes in each direction for cars, two in each direction for trucks, a number of rail lines, and an easement for oil, gas, and water lines, power lines, and even high-speed internet. This would require a 1200-foot-wide right-of-way, which is one of the reasons people went nuts over it.
The other difference is that the road would be a public-private partnership (PPP or P3), which would mean that the right-of-way would be leased to a private consortium, which would build, maintain, and improve the road over a length of time, such as 50 to 70 years. During that time, the consortium would get its money back and make some profit by charging tolls. The consortium would also provide a large up-front payment to the state for the lease. A lot of people are against a PPP, especially when foreign companies are involved and the contract restricts improvements to roads that compete with the PPP facility.
“Also unknown was whether the change in plans would make the project less attractive for a private development partner, which TxDOT is seeking to build the road, then maintain and operate it for profit.”
Now we’re getting to the crux of the deal. In case they’ve already forgotten, this is a MAJOR sticking point with the citizens of Texas.
Ben forgot one little aspect; 500,000 acres of valuble farm and ranch land either bought or taken by ED.
OH, AND THE FACT THAT OVER 90% OF TEXANS DON’T WON’T IT.
It doesn't make any difference where you build the road, you have to take someone's land.
You gladly use roads built atop land taken from someone.
I guess most Texans feel enough is enough. I do, read my tagline.
Build on existing footprints or go some where else. Right now, I don't give a damn if China or Mexico make another dime because it's not about them, it's about us.
I’m already aware of your don’t build it and they won’t come theory. So, they are going to build roads and they might build them on your mini-ranchette.
Less than a quarter mile to my east are the frontage roads for the future Cedar Park-Leander fly through elevated toll road. It's not even public knowledge yet. (unless you can find it)
I learned of it at a water board meeting for my subdivision. We have properties on both sides of the highway and had to move waterlines (at our expense) when they built the frontage roads.
Now we learn they will need to be moved again. We don't know if CTRMA is going to pay or not. We could get stuck with another $250,000 bill. Yet another reason........
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.