Posted on 05/07/2005 4:37:20 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
The massive Trans-Texas Corridor highway project is supposed to be a solution for crowded highways, but some Texans say it comes at a high cost to them. Hundreds of protestors gathered at the capitol in Austin Tuesday to push for a bill that would delay action on the corridor for two years.
Protestors came from all across the state carrying signs and voicing their opposition to the Trans-Texas Corridor.
David Stall of Fayetville said, “This is a volatile issue. It's been pushed on the public without input, without discussion, without open debate."
Margaret Green of Buckholts said, "The way they're pushing it through with no feasibility studies, so few being done, it's just scary."
Protestors say the major highway project is just a money grab for Governor Rick Perry and that it hurts everyone in Texas.
"Private property issues, that's a huge issue for many people,” Protest organizer Hollie Ullrich said. “A lot of people are concerned about the tolling system and who would have control of that and where the money would go."
Protestors say there is a traffic problem in Texas, but they say building the Trans-Texas Corridor is not the solution.
State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn says, "This $184 billion boon-doggle is nothing more than Governor Perry's plan to make you pay to play."
Protestors are pushing for a bill that would delay action on the corridor for two years. They say more research needs to be done to find a solution more Texans support to help fix the traffic problems. And until then, they will keep fighting to keep the Trans-Texas Corridor out of their backyards.
TxDOT engineer outlines highway plans
...
Last, Reitmann provided an update about major corridor development in the state.
Highway I-69 and the Trans Texas Corridor study area have been enlarged so more corridor alternatives can be considered. The next round of public information meetings are planned for this summer, including several in the local area. In the initial planning process preliminary corridor alternatives of approximately 1/2 to four miles wide are being developed. The reasonable corridor alternatives will be presented at the next round of public meetings.
As for the Trans Texas Corridor along Highway 35 in the state, the second round of public information meetings are underway throughout the state. A draft environmental impact statement, including identification of a preferred corridor is anticipated. Additional public involvement is planned for fall 2005 to gather public comment about the draft study. Federal approval is anticipated in spring 2006 for an approved corridor. Additional environmental studies will be done to determine the actual footprint of the project prior to construction.
...
WOW - WHAT A SUCCESFUL RALLY ! (05.03.05)
A BIG Texas Thank You to everyone that was able to attend the Capitol Rally!
The Citizen's Against the Trans-Texas Corridor protest rally at the Capitol in Austin on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 was a tremendous success! Hundreds upon hundreds of Texans from all over the state participated in the giant rally on the Capitol steps. They heard Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn proclaim the project the "Trans-Texas Catastrophe" and Perry's associates, "land-grabbing highway henchmen."
Perry spokesman Robert Black told reporters at the rally that Strayhorn has supported toll roads in the past. Apparently the Governor doesn't get it - it not about toll roads. It about taxing Texans for roads they've already paid for once. It's about taking private property to create a state sponsored corporate monopoly to generate a profit on that land through tolls, fees and leases. It's about excessive taking of private property and the damage that will do to local economies and the resulting loss of local property tax for counties and school districts. It's about secret 50-year deals with no oversight. It's about accountability and transparency. It's about the abusive use of state power in the pursuit of money. It's not about transportation and it certainly isn't about toll roads.
Even though the Governor doesn't get it - we, together, sent a very strong message to the legislature.
The Rally was very well attended. Several independent groups were represented including the Blacklands Coalition, Texas Farm Union, Austin Toll Party, Hill Country Cattlewomen, El Campo, and many many more.
CorridorWatch.org appreciates and acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the Citizen’s Against the Trans-Texas Corridor, Heidi Ullrich, Arnold Romberg, Judge Edward Janecka and all those who together made this rally happen.
Watch for Rally photographs on CorridorWatch.org next Sunday.
David & Linda Stall
CorridorWatch.org
The toll roads at night are big and bright.
Deep in the heart of Texas!
:)
Several of my Texas friends say that this should not happen. I'm with them. They wouldn't tell me wrong.
Trans-Texas Corridor PING!
"This is a volatile issue. It's been pushed on the public without input, without discussion, without open debate."
amen.
today a millionaire decided to help kaye bailey hutchinson. it would appear that she's going to challenge governor perry.
Good luck to y'all Texans. Thank God we live in Western, NC and can drive from Raleigh, NC to Tennessee at 75 mph... non-stop.
"today a millionaire decided to help kaye bailey hutchinson. it would appear that she's going to challenge governor perry."
Who?
Thanks for the ping!
I haven't made up my mind about this yet.
i think it was in the houston chronicle. sorry, i also bought the dallas morning news.
but i'm pretty sure houston.
it didn't say. it said anonymous.
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