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I-69/TTC reaches milestone

11/13/2007

The Texas Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, today released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor project.

Using existing highways will be the first consideration as state transportation officials continue work to identify an alignment for I-69/TTC from far South Texas to Northeast Texas.

The 1,072 page report is the result of nearly three years of work with local officials and input from citizens through hundreds of public meetings. It looked at a wide, 650-mile long study area that has been narrowed to approximately one-half to four-miles wide.

“Governor Rick Perry’s commitment to improve mobility across the state and his long-term vision to prepare for tomorrow’s transportation challenges have brought us to this point,” said Ted Houghton, member of the Texas Transportation Commission.

The report recommends continued environmental studies and public comment on the narrower study area to see where I-69/TTC can be located while minimizing environmental impacts. It proposes using existing highways first with new corridors as a secondary option.

“We are doing what the public asked us to do and that is look at existing highways first,” said Amadeo Saenz, TxDOT executive director. “If improvements to existing highways and infrastructure cannot be made to handle long range transportation needs — or if citizens and local officials tell us they prefer a new corridor — other options will be considered. Decisions will be made based on public input and detailed studies of environmental and social impacts.”

As an example, Saenz pointed to public comments urging a better, more direct connection between the Port of Corpus Christi and the inland port of Laredo.

“That is a possibility that deserves additional study and public input, so it is included in the refined study area,” Saenz said.

“The Trans-Texas Corridor will connect the state’s metro and urban areas without cutting through the hearts of our cities,” said Saenz. “We will work with local officials to consider how existing highways will be used to connect urban areas to the corridor.”

The report also looked at future transportation needs along the corridor where 12.1 million people are expected to live by 2040. Activity at Texas ports is growing rapidly which will mean more trucks along the corridor, according to the report.

Today’s announcement kicks off what TxDOT officials call an unprecedented public involvement and public comment period.

In January 2008, TxDOT will hold 10 Town Hall Meetings along the corridor. The scheduling of town hall meetings is a direct result of public comment that citizens want more opportunity to ask questions and get answers about the Trans-Texas Corridor.

In February, TxDOT will begin the formal public hearings on the environmental study. Forty-six public hearings will be held throughout the study area with the focus strictly on the DEIS document. The format for these hearings is designed to gather public comments solely on the document.

In addition, the Texas Transportation Commission is planning to set up regional advisory committees to provide guidance on how the project can be developed to best serve local communities.

“Local officials will be more involved than ever before and the public will shape the outcome of TTC-69,” said Houghton. “We cannot solve the transportation challenges facing Texas without public awareness and public involvement.”