“It's almost like talking to the IRS. They won't give you a written answer.”
Top transportation official talks about proposed corridor
December 14, 2005
By Dan Genz
Waco Tribune-Herald
Copyright 2005
Debunking myths and offering a few hints about the Trans-Texas Corridor, the state's top transportation administrator discussed the proposed Dallas-to-San Antonio highway and rail network with the Tribune-Herald editorial board Tuesday.
Citing heavy traffic along Interstate 35 and the state's booming population, Texas Department of Transportation executive director Michael W. Behrens said conditions have made the $6 billion controversial project necessary and inevitable.
“This corridor is going to have to be built someday, either sooner or later, and it's very important I think that we get a footprint for where it could go,” Behrens said.
The massive roadway will likely be placed east of Interstate 35, with tolls costing drivers about a dime or 11 cents per mile, Behrens said.
The transportation agency is expected to narrow the 50-mile review area to a 10-mile zone early next year. Construction is set to begin in about five years.
Lawmakers approved Gov. Rick Perry's plan for a 4,000 mile network of roadways crisscrossing the state in 2003. The quarter-mile-wide highway system could run through McLennan County.
Local opposition groups say the quarter-mile-wide project could devour thousands of acres of ranchland and lure drivers away from businesses along the bustling I-35 corridor.
McLennan County commissioners passed a resolution opposing the project earlier this year and County Judge Jim Lewis said it's still difficult to get direct information about concerns about use of right-of-ways.
“I think we need to look at it, but we need to get some good factual answers to our questions,” Lewis said. “It's almost like talking to the IRS. They won't give you a written answer to something,” Lewis said.
One key point of contention is that detailed records about the companies building the tollway, a San Antonio construction firm and the Spanish transportation company Cintra Zachry LP, have not been made public until a final contract is signed.
“Does that give you a warm fuzzy feeling that the negotiations and things were done in private?” Lewis asked.
Saying it is too early to release that information, Behrens said people are confused about what's happening with the project. He's heard some people are alarmed that the country of Spain could be seizing their property.
To make his case amid the organized opposition, Behrens has met with newspaper representatives from Cameron, Temple, Taylor and Rockdale.
He said many in the public are undecided and not fully informed about the project.
“We're seeing that there are some things that are being said that are not correct. We call them myths versus reality,” Behrens said.
Driving north from Austin Tuesday, Behrens said he looked at a busy Bell County rest area in Salado along Interstate 35 and asked himself what the future will be like if no highway is built.
“What are these things going to be like? Can you imagine twice the amount of trucks? We need to find another corridor to put these cars,” Behrens said.
dgenz@wacotrib.com
757-5743
Copyright 2005 Waco Tribune Herald www.wacotrib.com
December 14, 2005
By Dan Genz
Waco Tribune-Herald
Copyright 2005
Debunking myths and offering a few hints about the Trans-Texas Corridor, the state's top transportation administrator discussed the proposed Dallas-to-San Antonio highway and rail network with the Tribune-Herald editorial board Tuesday.
Citing heavy traffic along Interstate 35 and the state's booming population, Texas Department of Transportation executive director Michael W. Behrens said conditions have made the $6 billion controversial project necessary and inevitable.
“This corridor is going to have to be built someday, either sooner or later, and it's very important I think that we get a footprint for where it could go,” Behrens said.
The massive roadway will likely be placed east of Interstate 35, with tolls costing drivers about a dime or 11 cents per mile, Behrens said.
The transportation agency is expected to narrow the 50-mile review area to a 10-mile zone early next year. Construction is set to begin in about five years.
Lawmakers approved Gov. Rick Perry's plan for a 4,000 mile network of roadways crisscrossing the state in 2003. The quarter-mile-wide highway system could run through McLennan County.
Local opposition groups say the quarter-mile-wide project could devour thousands of acres of ranchland and lure drivers away from businesses along the bustling I-35 corridor.
McLennan County commissioners passed a resolution opposing the project earlier this year and County Judge Jim Lewis said it's still difficult to get direct information about concerns about use of right-of-ways.
“I think we need to look at it, but we need to get some good factual answers to our questions,” Lewis said. “It's almost like talking to the IRS. They won't give you a written answer to something,” Lewis said.
One key point of contention is that detailed records about the companies building the tollway, a San Antonio construction firm and the Spanish transportation company Cintra Zachry LP, have not been made public until a final contract is signed.
“Does that give you a warm fuzzy feeling that the negotiations and things were done in private?” Lewis asked.
Saying it is too early to release that information, Behrens said people are confused about what's happening with the project. He's heard some people are alarmed that the country of Spain could be seizing their property.
To make his case amid the organized opposition, Behrens has met with newspaper representatives from Cameron, Temple, Taylor and Rockdale.
He said many in the public are undecided and not fully informed about the project.
“We're seeing that there are some things that are being said that are not correct. We call them myths versus reality,” Behrens said.
Driving north from Austin Tuesday, Behrens said he looked at a busy Bell County rest area in Salado along Interstate 35 and asked himself what the future will be like if no highway is built.
“What are these things going to be like? Can you imagine twice the amount of trucks? We need to find another corridor to put these cars,” Behrens said.
dgenz@wacotrib.com
757-5743
Copyright 2005 Waco Tribune Herald
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Wednesday, December 14, 2005
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