Posted on 06/14/2008 2:42:39 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Texas farmers and ranchers are hoping that the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) recent announcement to make use of existing roadways in its plan for Interstate 69 is a positive sign when it comes to the ongoing battles with the Trans-Texas Corridor.
“We are glad to see that TxDOT is beginning to listen to what so many members of our organization have said for the past four years,” said Kenneth Dierschke, president of the Texas Farm Bureau.
Some 28,000 Texans — many of whom are members of the state’s largest farm organization — aired grievances during public meetings held at various locations by TxDOT officials along the proposed highway path.
Nearly all expressed some concerns over land lost to the multi-lane corridor, diminished access to their properties or property split by the project.
Farm Bureau has actively urged state officials to make use of existing rights-of-way whenever planning roadways to meet the transportation issues of a growing Texas.
Despite those urgings, TxDOT plans for the controversial Trans-Texas Corridor have often called for all-new tollway constructions outside existing highway footprints.
On June 11, however, the agency officially announced it would make use of existing highway rights-of-way for the I-69 construction. Newly-constructed lanes will be tolled; however, existing lanes will remain free. Most of that project will follow the path of Highway 59.
“This is a great first step,” Dierschke said of Wednesday’s announcement. “But we must continue to hold TxDOT’s feet to the fire during the next legislative session to ensure they keep these promises.”
Dierschke noted that the proposed I-69 project is only part of the Trans-Texas Corridor plans that have been released by TxDOT.
The agency’s announcement this week does not affect the project proposals along Interstate 35, which still has miles of some of the state’s best farm land under consideration as alternative stretches to the expansive highway project.
For more on TxDOT’s announcement and Trans-Texas Corridor plans, visit them online at www.keeptexasmoving.org.
by Amy Fowler, Managing Editor
The Texas Department of Transportation announced this week it will recommend that I-69/TTC be developed using existing highway facilities wherever possible.
For Liberty County, this means I-69 will most likely run along I-59 in Cleveland, bringing some new life to the area.
"If anything, it just opens Liberty County up to new opportunities," said Marc Shepherd, TxDOT public information officer.
However, the real impact on the county will not be seen until both I-69 and the Grand Parkway are completed. The combination of the two roads will mean better connectivity between the county and Houston.
"Liberty County is already growing," said Shepherd. "This gives [the county] the transportation infrastructure to continue that growth in an organized way."
I-69 is part of the Trans Texas Corridor, an interstate highway that has been controversial since its inception. The announcement has quelled some of the fears, but it remains a touchy subject.
Locally, I-69 is often confused with the Grand Parkway, which is a project to build another loop around the Houston metropolitan area.
TSCRA praises TxDOT decision on Trans-Texas Corridor
Trans-Texas Corridor PING!
What are the plans for Houston? I-59 goes in the south west side and exits the north east side.
IMO this probably delayed the land grab for possibly another 25 years..
It sounds like I-69 is going to follow US 59 through Houston now. That shouldn’t be too difficult, since US 59 is already a freeway through the city.
Got to give the Saudis something for their money.
What are the plans for Houston? I-59 goes in the south west side and exits the north east side.
That’s the big problem...... With US 59 going through essentially the middle of downtown Houston they have to find a reasonable route around that bottle neck. That was the basis for taking it on a loop to the NW out through Waller and Hempstead area. Now I’m not sure what the plan will entail. Fortunately a part of 59 N of Houston up through the Cleveland area toward Lufkin has been expanded to 4 lanes. Hopefully they will upgrade further and loop those small towns.
ben lurkin is a gov perry shill.
They’ll probably just renumber the outer loop, which is already tolled, to divert the through traffic that way.
Or they could expedite the Grand Parkway construction so that can be used as a bypass. (I’m assuming that “Outer Loop” refers to the Sam Houston tollway/Beltway 8.)
I hope the Grand parkway is what they use. It is farther out from the center of town. For anyone who doesn’t live here or come through here, Houston’s growth is unbelievable.
BTTT
Note the irony of Rick Perry, who arrived at the governor’s office via Texas Agriculture Commissioner and the Texas Republican Party, pushing the TTC. Yes, some ranchers and Republicans like it, but you can see the intensity of the opposition. Killing the TTC has been in The Texas Republican Party’s platform for years.
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