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http://www.dot.state.tx.us/news/008-2006.htm

News Release Contact:
Telephone: Gabriela Garcia
(512) 475-2134
TTC-35 draft report refines study area and identifies project need April 4, 2006

DALLAS - A multi-use transportation alternative to the heavily congested Interstate 35 corridor could lie slightly to the east while incorporating the interstate's southern half, according to a 4,000-page draft environmental impact statement for the Trans-Texas Corridor-35 that was released today.

The report's findings show a narrowed study area from Gainesville to Laredo to be generally 10 miles wide and within close proximity to I-35 and metropolitan centers, except where it is centered on I-35 south of San Antonio to Laredo.

"The Trans-Texas Corridor will provide unprecedented trade opportunities, a faster transportation system that moves freight and hazardous materials out of city centers, and thousands of new jobs," Gov. Rick Perry said. "Today we take an important step toward realizing this goal."

The report's findings are not final and will be subject to more than 50 public hearings along the I-35 corridor this summer.

The narrowed study area was identified as the preferred corridor alternative because it best supports the purpose and need for TTC-35 and incorporates the most miles of existing highways and rail - 195 and 214 miles respectively.

These findings are part of the TTC-35 draft environmental impact statement prepared by the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

The draft report also examined population and traffic demand within the I-35 corridor and concluded that increased freight traffic and growing congestion compound the need for additional transportation alternatives within the I-35 corridor.

"After more than two years of analysis, the question regarding the need for TTC-35 is now well documented," said Michael Behrens, TxDOT executive director, referring to a section of the draft report on why the project should be built. "We have to stay focused on the ultimate goal - making a positive impact to the I-35 corridor and improving statewide mobility for the next 30-50 years."

"Texas has a transportation problem and we have a plan to solve the problem," said Ric Williamson, chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. "Our strategic plan contains long-term, mid-term, and short-term tactics. Building TTC-35 is one of our long-term tactical decisions to reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality, and preserve the value of IH-35."

Already, approximately 45 percent of the 21 million Texans live within 50 miles of I-35. With this significant portion of the population centered around I-35, the corridor is no longer an efficient option for intercity and freight travel but rather has become a commuter route, particularly in the urban areas.

Even with planned improvements to I-35, traffic demand will reach or exceed capacity by 2025. In addition, the draft report documents previous studies that indicated I-35 would need to be expanded to 16 lanes in metro areas and 12 lanes through Central Texas to meet the corridor's future traffic demands.

"Our next mission is to make absolutely certain that our regional leaders understand the full value of the Trans-Texas Corridor. I know my hometown of San Antonio is excited to learn more about the opportunities of linking its city center to this powerful new system," said Hope Andrade, a member of the Texas Transportation Commission.

Transportation models also indicate commercial truck traffic in Texas will grow dramatically. By 2025, freight traffic will grow 132 percent, which translates into an average of 260,465 commercial trucks each day on Texas roads. Already, 20-38 percent of current traffic on I-35 is from commercial trucks and a significant portion is due to international trade.

In addition to determining the need for TTC-35, other factors were also analyzed to identify the narrowed study area. These included land use, engineering and design, traffic flow and potential impacts on environmental factors, such as wetlands, farmland soils, cultural resources and socio-economic issues. Public input from 117 public meetings was also considered.

"Looking at both the study area revealed today and last week's rail proposal, it's clear that Texas will be the trade corridor for this hemisphere," said Commissioner Ted Houghton, referring to last week's announcement that the state had received a proposal to build a new 600-mile grade-separated freight-rail line from Dallas/Fort Worth to Mexico.

The next step in the tiered environmental process is to continue gathering public comments. Numerous hearings are planned this summer throughout the study area. Final approval by the Federal Highway Administration on a narrowed study area could happen by next summer, however it would not authorize construction.

If federally approved, the environmental process would continue with Tier Two focusing on the narrowed 10-mile wide study area. It is within this study area that a final project route would be determined for roads, rail and utilities. If approved, the Tier Two studies would authorize construction.

"Today's announcement validates the strength of this concept. Our next big opportunity is rapidly taking shape, and that's Trans-Texas Corridor 69," Commissioner John W. Johnson said. In December 2005, Governor Perry instructed TxDOT to partner with the private sector to develop an interstate-quality highway corridor with additional rail freight capacity that connects the Lower Rio Grande River Valley to I-37 and continues along the south and east portions of Texas from Corpus Christi through Houston all the way to northeast Texas.

The complete draft environmental impact statement for TTC-35 , including a map of the narrowed study area, is available on www.keeptexasmoving.org.