San Juan Mayor is opposed to RMA's, toll roads
State commission to vote on RMA
November 17,2005
Victoria Hirschberg
The Monitor
Copyright 2005
McALLEN — The Texas Transportation Commission will consider approving Hidalgo County’s petition to create a regional mobility authority today.
A regional mobility authority, comprising seven board members, could pass bonds and initiate local infrastructure projects, including toll roads.
Local officials are confident the commission will approve the RMA despite strife from local residents, especially those from San Juan. A TxDOT study of toll roads in the county showed an initial route from the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, through San Juan and Alamo.
San Juan residents and officials said this road would detract from its frontage road and hurt the small city’s economy.
"One of the main reasons I’m definitely opposed to RMAs is because they push for these toll roads as a way of generating funds," said San Juan’s Mayor San Juanita Sanchez, who will head to Austin today with other residents to speak at the meeting and has vehemently opposed any toll road through her city.
County Judge Ramon Garcia said he does not support toll roads, but believes the RMA is necessary for Hidalgo County. If approved, he will appoint one member to the RMA board, as will the four county commissioners. The McAllen commissioners also have one appointment. The governor will appoint the chair.
"It’s the most important economic board to be created in Hidalgo County," Garcia said. "They will be evaluating all transportation needs, including public transportation."
He said even without the RMA, TxDOT could approve a toll road.
Ted Houghton, a TxDOT commissioner, said Wednesday the RMA does not equate toll roads. He spoke to several reporters about today’s meeting agenda.
"It doesn’t have to be a toll road, it could be leveraging (dollars)," said Houghton, who visited the area last week. "But they need to, as a region, come together and tell us what to do."
———
Victoria Hirschberg covers Hidalgo County and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4466.
The Monitor themonitor.com
November 17,2005
Victoria Hirschberg
The Monitor
Copyright 2005
McALLEN — The Texas Transportation Commission will consider approving Hidalgo County’s petition to create a regional mobility authority today.
A regional mobility authority, comprising seven board members, could pass bonds and initiate local infrastructure projects, including toll roads.
Local officials are confident the commission will approve the RMA despite strife from local residents, especially those from San Juan. A TxDOT study of toll roads in the county showed an initial route from the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, through San Juan and Alamo.
San Juan residents and officials said this road would detract from its frontage road and hurt the small city’s economy.
"One of the main reasons I’m definitely opposed to RMAs is because they push for these toll roads as a way of generating funds," said San Juan’s Mayor San Juanita Sanchez, who will head to Austin today with other residents to speak at the meeting and has vehemently opposed any toll road through her city.
County Judge Ramon Garcia said he does not support toll roads, but believes the RMA is necessary for Hidalgo County. If approved, he will appoint one member to the RMA board, as will the four county commissioners. The McAllen commissioners also have one appointment. The governor will appoint the chair.
"It’s the most important economic board to be created in Hidalgo County," Garcia said. "They will be evaluating all transportation needs, including public transportation."
He said even without the RMA, TxDOT could approve a toll road.
Ted Houghton, a TxDOT commissioner, said Wednesday the RMA does not equate toll roads. He spoke to several reporters about today’s meeting agenda.
"It doesn’t have to be a toll road, it could be leveraging (dollars)," said Houghton, who visited the area last week. "But they need to, as a region, come together and tell us what to do."
———
Victoria Hirschberg covers Hidalgo County and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4466.
The Monitor
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Thursday, November 17, 2005
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