TDT to hold public hearing on TTC(Trans-Texas Corridor)

McKinney Courier-Gazette ^ | July 03, 2006 | KRYSTAL DE LOS SANTOS

[Marius3188]

On July 13, the Texas Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing at which Collin County residents may express their concerns, ask questions and make comments about plans for the stretch of the Trans-Texas Corridor that will parallel I-35.

TTC-35 is one of the four main toll roads planned for the Trans-Texas Corridor system, which is a series of thoroughfares criss-crossing the state, just outside metropolitan areas.

In 2002, Governor Rick Perry released plans for the project, saying the measure would relieve traffic congestion in Texas' major cities and would provide an alternative route for commercial trucks, often hauling hazardous freight.

The TTC-35 corridor includes three passenger lanes in each direction; two truck lanes in each direction; a high-speed rail line, a commuter rail line and a freight rail line in each direction.

The hearing next week is one of a series of 54 meetings beginning in mid-July and continuing for five consecutive weeks from July 10 through August 10. The meetings are the fourth set of public hearings on TTC-35 that give residents an opportunity to comment on the proposed development of the road. These public hearings are the culmination of a two-year public involvement process that has already included 117 public meetings netting more than 4,000 comments.

“The sole purpose of the public hearings is to get comments from citizens, local governments, business, property owners and other stakeholders,” said Tim Brown, chairman of the Trans-Texas Corridor Advisory Committee. “Decisions will be made based on those comments, so it's important that people participate in the process.”

According to TxDOT officials, public comment has influenced the selection of a preferred corridor alternative that incorporates the most miles of existing highways and rail, representing a response to comments frequently heard at previous public meetings.

The presentation at the hearings will focus on the preferred corridor alternative from Gainesville to Laredo and why it meets the state's long-term goal of relieving congestion and improving safety on I-35. Other corridor alternatives that were evaluated also will be presented for public comment.

The hearing begins with an open house at 5 p.m. at which residents can review maps of the preferred corridor alternative and ask questions of TxDOT staff. The presentation and oral comments begin at 6:30 p.m.

After the public hearings, staff will analyze the comments and submit a final environmental impact statement to the Federal Highway Administration. A decision from FHWA is expected next summer. Approval from the administration would allow the environmental process to continue with additional environmental studies 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. Construction could only begin after the additional studies are completed.

The McKinney meeting starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 13 at the McKinney High School Cafeteria, 1400 Wilson Creek Pkwy.

A complete list of hearings is posted on www.keeptexasmoving.org.

Contact Krystal De Los Santos at krystal.delossantos@scntx.com

[Marius3188]

TTC ping

[Calpernia]

Tag the animals, tag the vehicle, tag the people.

[TLI]

On July 13, the Texas Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing at which Collin County residents may express their concerns, ask questions and make comments about plans for the stretch of the Trans-Texas Corridor that will parallel I-35.

and those comments will be dropped in the trash on July 14.

[Eastbound]

"...and those comments will be dropped in the trash on July 14."

Exactly right. Just like the hearings on Border XXI bs.

[COEXERJ145]

I don't know who put the keywords "KOOKMAGNET" and "TRANSTINFOILCORRIDOR" but both are spot on.

[Sarajevo]

In 2002, Governor Rick Perry released plans for the project, saying the measure would relieve traffic congestion in Texas' major cities and would provide an alternative route for commercial trucks, often hauling hazardous freight.,/p>

Perry and the TXDoT are so FOS it's pathetic. Already, they are attmepting to take public roads to convert to tollways. This will only bring more congestion along poorly designed interchanges.

Zachary-Cintras and the TXDoT have consistently blocked the opinions of the people, whose concerns lie in the right-of-way, and businesses which would lose on this proposition.

This is not to mention the fact that, once completed and integrated into an international series of toll roads, border security will be a moot point.

[zeugma]

Thanks for the post. I'll be going to let these morons know what I think of their toll roads.

[TXnMA]

“The sole purpose of the public hearings is to get comments from citizens, local governments, business, property owners and other stakeholders,” said Tim Brown, chairman of the Trans-Texas Corridor Advisory Committee. “Decisions will be made based on to ignore or refute those comments, so it's important that people participate in the process.”

[TXnMA]

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Trans-Texas Corridor PING!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Thanks for the ping!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

From the article:

According to TxDOT officials, public comment has influenced the selection of a preferred corridor alternative that incorporates the most miles of existing highways and rail, representing a response to comments frequently heard at previous public meetings.

[TXnMA]

Pardon me if I remain skeptical. That was probably the cheapest route for Cintra; TXDOT just claimed it as a response to public interest.

When TXDOT addresses the negative impacts on rural Texas counties, I will begin to believe they are really listening.

I'm not holding my breath...

[TXnMA]

Thanks for all your pings, BTW...

[TXnMA]

The TTC-35 corridor includes three passenger lanes in each direction; two truck lanes in each direction; a high-speed rail line, a commuter rail line and a freight rail line in each direction.

Does this mean that TXDOT has deleted the utility corridor?

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

You're welcome. :-)

[ElephantinTexas]

Well they are having these meetings but if you bring up tolls while you are speaking, they will cut you off from speaking then you will be asked (forced?) to leave.

On a lighter note.. On the local, San Antonio KENS-5 TV Sunday morning show, they had the TXDOT SpokesWeasel telling all of us that TX-130 is a "done deal" with a "50 year contract" to Cintra and Zachary. "Just like the Spurs have with Bexar County." (I'm glad I hadn't had breakfast yet)

NOW... I'm going to try an stay level headed about this...... for now.

I saw the map the TXDOT puppet put up. I live in San Antonio and use to drive from here to Austin in about an hour but those days are over with all of the never-ending construction but what I don't get about TX-130 is if I was coming from North Texas, going to Houston, I can see using the by-pass of Austin, go over to Sequin then East over to Houston.

BUT if I'm going North from San Antonio, or Laredo, why in the HELL would I drive all of the way east past Sequin to get on a freakin' Toll Road?

Now if Grumpy's over in Schulenburg moves to Seqiun so I can get some of those great Coconut Cream Pies.....then I'm in for this huge Texas Land Grab and another screwing of this Great Country that I Love..........Hook.....Line and Sinker.......

did I turn that sarcasm thingy off?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!