Perry's appointees at TxDOT to begin soliciting private sector proposals for TTC-69
Perry seeks private funds in push for Interstate 69
He revisits his idea for a state corridor, saying Texas can't wait for federal funding
Dec. 9, 2005,
By RAD SALLEE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Gov. Rick Perry announced on Thursday plans to seek private dollars to upgrade U.S. 59 as Texas' portion of the proposed Interstate 69 rather than wait for federal funds that may never come.
Perry said he will order road builders today to begin planning "an interstate-quality highway" from the present Interstate 37, which connects Corpus Christi and San Antonio, to the border, using public and private funding.
His remarks to officials and business leaders from up and down U.S. 59 came during the I-69 Coalition's annual meeting here.
"Let's resuscitate I-69 as TTC-69," Perry said, referring to the controversial Trans-Texas Corridor plan he unveiled in 2002. As envisioned, the corridor would have free traffic lanes and toll lanes operated by investors for profit. It also could include lanes for heavy, high-speed trucks and easements for pipelines, power lines and railroad tracks.
Perry was careful not to specify the exact route, which he said would depend on an environmental study now half-completed. Three South Texas alternatives are being considered: U.S. 59 to Laredo; U.S. 281 to McAllen; and U.S. 77 to Brownsville.
Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson said the governor is determined to provide an interstate highway "that has been promised to those people for the past 20 years."
Perry also said he would tell the commission today to begin soliciting private sector proposals to build the rest of TTC-69 "from the Rio Grande to Corpus Christi to Houston to East Texas, all the way to the northeast line of Texas."
Business people in some towns along U.S. 59 have been skeptical of the corridor idea, fearing road builders would bypass them to secure the needed right of way and the most direct route for international truck traffic.
But Williamson said he expects TxDOT would "blend the corridor and these existing tax roads to accomplish the goal."
Perry told the crowd of several hundred that the alternatives to private investment in the corridor are higher gasoline taxes and doing without needed road capacity while population and commerce increase along the route, which would link industrial centers of the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Perry, who received applause after his speech, told the audience that despite their efforts and those of the state's congressional delegation, "There has been little support for I-69" in the last two highway authorization bills out of Congress.
Fund in trouble
"The federal Highway Trust Fund is headed for bankruptcy," he said.
Williamson said the fund is able to provide only enough money for maintenance and some expansion of present roads.
"I think we all realize that the federal funding genie is dead," the governor said. "The harsh reality is that we cannot wait for Washington, D.C., to solve the problems of this state.
"Instead of baby steps, I think it's time for Texas to take a giant leap forward."
rad.sallee@chron.com
© 2005 Houston Chronicle: www.chron.com
He revisits his idea for a state corridor, saying Texas can't wait for federal funding
Dec. 9, 2005,
By RAD SALLEE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Gov. Rick Perry announced on Thursday plans to seek private dollars to upgrade U.S. 59 as Texas' portion of the proposed Interstate 69 rather than wait for federal funds that may never come.
Perry said he will order road builders today to begin planning "an interstate-quality highway" from the present Interstate 37, which connects Corpus Christi and San Antonio, to the border, using public and private funding.
His remarks to officials and business leaders from up and down U.S. 59 came during the I-69 Coalition's annual meeting here.
"Let's resuscitate I-69 as TTC-69," Perry said, referring to the controversial Trans-Texas Corridor plan he unveiled in 2002. As envisioned, the corridor would have free traffic lanes and toll lanes operated by investors for profit. It also could include lanes for heavy, high-speed trucks and easements for pipelines, power lines and railroad tracks.
Perry was careful not to specify the exact route, which he said would depend on an environmental study now half-completed. Three South Texas alternatives are being considered: U.S. 59 to Laredo; U.S. 281 to McAllen; and U.S. 77 to Brownsville.
Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson said the governor is determined to provide an interstate highway "that has been promised to those people for the past 20 years."
Perry also said he would tell the commission today to begin soliciting private sector proposals to build the rest of TTC-69 "from the Rio Grande to Corpus Christi to Houston to East Texas, all the way to the northeast line of Texas."
Business people in some towns along U.S. 59 have been skeptical of the corridor idea, fearing road builders would bypass them to secure the needed right of way and the most direct route for international truck traffic.
But Williamson said he expects TxDOT would "blend the corridor and these existing tax roads to accomplish the goal."
Perry told the crowd of several hundred that the alternatives to private investment in the corridor are higher gasoline taxes and doing without needed road capacity while population and commerce increase along the route, which would link industrial centers of the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Perry, who received applause after his speech, told the audience that despite their efforts and those of the state's congressional delegation, "There has been little support for I-69" in the last two highway authorization bills out of Congress.
Fund in trouble
"The federal Highway Trust Fund is headed for bankruptcy," he said.
Williamson said the fund is able to provide only enough money for maintenance and some expansion of present roads.
"I think we all realize that the federal funding genie is dead," the governor said. "The harsh reality is that we cannot wait for Washington, D.C., to solve the problems of this state.
"Instead of baby steps, I think it's time for Texas to take a giant leap forward."
rad.sallee@chron.com
© 2005 Houston Chronicle:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Friday, December 09, 2005
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