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.

[endthematrix]

You should make up your mind. You first implied the article discredits Corsi’s “conspiracy theory” because it only revolved around I-35. I disproved your claim that Corsi only discussed I-35, and you then change the goalposts to frame the debate and save some face - “The conspiracy gets wider and wider and wider and wider.”

Hemispheric integration isn’t solely based on transportation, of course. Interdependence within finance, military, trade, politics, etc. are occurring. Global elites within both parties are implementing it with blessings from socialists abroad. I know about it. The administration doesn't deny it's occurring. However, millions of US (Canadian and Mexican) citizens don't know about it or want it. It is our nations elected officials have an authority to be responsible to their constituents.

[Ben Ficklin]

No, thats not what I said.

I said that this announcement further dis-proves Corsi's(and other's in the echo chamber) theory that there would be a Super Duper Nafta Highway(a four football fields wide multi-modal corridor) following I-35,29,70 into Canada. And, that the KC inland port would be a primary inland port.

This is not to say the the I-35 corridor is not an important road, or KC will not be an important location, but other roads and locations will be more important.

In your second paragraph:

"Hemispheric integration"-----"Interdependence"

Yes, a world market has been/is being created and within the world market are regional markets. And of course there is interdepenability. Nixon went to China, Reagan and Thatcher sang the benefits.

"Global elites"----socialists abroad"---------"both parties"-----"millions of......citizens don't.......want it"

Actually, this is being done by the political moderates(worldwide) and it is being opposed by the far right and the far left(worldwide). The left and the right against the middle.

The symbol of "the left and the right against the middle" is the photo of Pat Buchanan and the marxists holding hands as they marched thru the Seattle streets during the WTO riots. Followed by Buchanan picking the socialist as vice president candidate.

[ncdave4life]

Jason_b wrote:

> 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.

Would that it were so, Jason. Unfortunately, Jerome Corsi has no interest in the truth. He’s an habitual liar. He just makes things up to support his conspiracy theories, which mostly seem to have the purpose of smearing conservative Christian politicians, like Bush and Perry.

See http://www.burtonsys.com/corsi/

-Dave

[Jason_b]

Thanks for that. I’m at work but will review it closely later.