Posted on 12/12/2005 11:31:23 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Now that Texas Gov. Rick Perry and other officials have pronounced “the federal funding genie” dead, as far as highway construction money goes, it's time to find another way to pay for Interstate 69.
“By the time Washington funds I-69, we'll be driving around in hover cars or whatever,” Perry said Thursday during a meeting of I-69 Alliance members, including Lufkin Mayor Louis Bronaugh, in Houston. “The harsh reality is we cannot wait for Washington, D.C., to solve the problems of this state.”
Perry wants to “resuscitate” I-69 by merging it with his proposed Trans Texas Corridor, which would combine multi-lane highways with railways and utility lines into a network that would, as its name implies, crisscross the state.
Obviously, Lufkin and Angelina County have a huge stake in this issue, as does Nacogdoches. We've been ahead of the game, as far as I-69 goes, for years now, and that will help us if Texas finds a way to start building the thing – with or without federal help.
Where, exactly, the new highway winds through Angelina County will depend on environmental studies that have yet to be completed. A brand new roadway and railway system as massive as Perry is proposing will have a significant impact on our forests, so it's good that the state is taking the time to find the path that least alters our landscape.
If all goes well, we should by mid-2006 have a firm idea of where I-69 – or, more likely at this point, TTC-69 – will traverse through our area.
It is important for Lufkin and Nacogdoches, and our separate and combined economic development efforts, that the corridor be constructed as soon as possible. An interstate that stretches from Mexico to Canada, straight up the middle of the United States, will give us a huge tool to help convince big companies to build or relocate here.
Of course, there's a catch to Perry's plan, since you know the state of Texas is in no position, either, to be handing out transportation dollars: If I-69, or TTC-69, is to be constructed in the foreseeable future, it's going to be done through public-private partnerships. That means toll roads.
We're OK with that. It makes sense that the people who are going to benefit the most from the interstate – both trucking companies and travelers going to or from the Houston area – should be the ones to pay for it. Toll tags like those used in Dallas and Houston make it easy for drivers to keep on trucking, without having to stop to pay the fee. By the time I-69 is actually finished, Angelina and Nacogdoches counties will likely be suffering significant congestion on the current U.S. Highway 59, and the new interstate should provide some measure of relief.
I-69 has looked dead in the water several times now, so the good news is there's still hope for the project. We hope Perry isn't just blowing smoke, and that someone – be it the state or a private partner – starts pouring concrete within the next couple decades.
Perry seeks private funds in push for Interstate 69
Perry cites plans for South Texas corridor
Trans-Texas Corridor PING!
Who's the marketing genius who thought up the name? I can see I-69 t-shirts selling like hotcakes.
They aren't REALLY gona call it that are they? Oh the horror....I can't wait to hear those gags....
Hmmmmmm. How about "I got mine on Route 69?"
See what I mean??
Personally, I think we're way overdue for hover cars anyway!
I-69 is definitely a win-win idea!
The Texas portion of I-69 is eventually supposed to connect to the existing I-69 that currently has a southern terminus at Indianapolis.
BTTT
You haven't been to the Detroit aera have you?
"Big Beaver Rd, Exit 69".
They're not going to fund I-69? That just sucks.
Someone really blew it.
Sorta runs along US69 which is already there.
I have several I69 Stickers on my motorcycle helmet.. have for years.. as well as a nice bushpilot pin on my jacket, and many other things not really acceptable in polite company as well adoring both.
Do Governor Perry and other politicians have the best interests of the citizens of Texas or those of foreign based toll road builders at heart?
Thanks for the ping!
You and princess leah should meet.
You're welcome. :-)
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.