TTC: "The first time in this country a state DOT has worked with a concessionaire."
Corridor project planners say road will prepare area for the inevitable
May 19, 2006
By ANITA MILLER
San Marcos Daily Record
Copyright 2006
They're coming whether we build it or not.
That was the message about the Central Texas portion of the Trans Texas Corridor (TTC 35) delivered to the Governmental Affairs Committee of the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday by a representative of an engineering firm advising the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
Between 1990 and 2000, the state's population as well as the number of vehicle miles traveled in Texas has outgrown existing lane capacity. “With some roads (the philosophy) has been build it and they will come, but the need for the TTC is here today,” said Paul Huston. “The need is there for increased transportation options and that need is going to grow.”
First envisioned by Governor Rick Perry in 2002, the Trans Texas Corridor would be a super highway running from the Mexican border to Oklahoma, requiring-right-of-way a quarter mile wide and having separate lanes for car and truck traffic as well as freight, high-speed rail and utility transmission. All or portions of 77 Texas counties would be affected.
The approximately $1 billion toll road project would be developed and managed by Cintra Zachary. Opponents have called the plan a land grab of historic proportions, but Huston said planners envision it would facilitate mobility, relieve congestion on existing roadways like IH-35, open up new areas of land for development reducing environmental impacts to just one area.
He also pitched the possibility of speed limits along the corridor in excess of 70 miles per hour, “possibly 80 or 90 mph.”
So far, TxDOT has held 117 public meetings about the TTC and more are to come. Huston said 50 or so such meetings would be held regarding the TTC 35 in July and August, and that interested residents can also comment by mail and over the Internet.
The original swath has been narrowed to a 10-mile corridor that stretches from just east of Lockhart to just east of Texas Hwy. 21, an area that represents the “shortest path on flattest ground.”
However, that route is very near the route of SH 130, another TxDOT toll road project that would run from Seguin to just north of Georgetown.
While many residents had believed the two roadways would eventually be the same, Huston said that's not yet known. “It could be a part of TTC 35 or it could not.” It could be a “connecting or support facility” for the bigger road but is “moving along as a stand alone project.”
Moreover, Huston said the right-of-way already acquired for 130 is “not nearly as wide as it would need to be” to accommodate TTC 35.
“What might happen is it may split, with roadways on one corridor and rail in a separate corridor.” It could also happen that both roadways would be built.
Huston also said Cintra Zachary has asked TxDOT to accelerate action on portions 5 and 6 of SH 130. Section 6, which would most impact nearby neighbors in Caldwell and Guadalupe counties, and has made the offer to develop, build and finance those segments.
All of this is new ground and represents an “evolution in highway funding,” Huston said, describing the TTC as “the first time in this country a state DOT has worked with a concessionaire,” which would be Cintra Zachary.
For more on the TTC visit keeptexasmoving.org; for SH 130, sh130.com. For an opposing view visit corridorwatch.org
amiller@sanmarcosrecord.com
© 2006, San Marcos Daily Record: www.sanmarcosrecord.com
May 19, 2006
By ANITA MILLER
San Marcos Daily Record
Copyright 2006
They're coming whether we build it or not.
That was the message about the Central Texas portion of the Trans Texas Corridor (TTC 35) delivered to the Governmental Affairs Committee of the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday by a representative of an engineering firm advising the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
Between 1990 and 2000, the state's population as well as the number of vehicle miles traveled in Texas has outgrown existing lane capacity. “With some roads (the philosophy) has been build it and they will come, but the need for the TTC is here today,” said Paul Huston. “The need is there for increased transportation options and that need is going to grow.”
First envisioned by Governor Rick Perry in 2002, the Trans Texas Corridor would be a super highway running from the Mexican border to Oklahoma, requiring-right-of-way a quarter mile wide and having separate lanes for car and truck traffic as well as freight, high-speed rail and utility transmission. All or portions of 77 Texas counties would be affected.
The approximately $1 billion toll road project would be developed and managed by Cintra Zachary. Opponents have called the plan a land grab of historic proportions, but Huston said planners envision it would facilitate mobility, relieve congestion on existing roadways like IH-35, open up new areas of land for development reducing environmental impacts to just one area.
He also pitched the possibility of speed limits along the corridor in excess of 70 miles per hour, “possibly 80 or 90 mph.”
So far, TxDOT has held 117 public meetings about the TTC and more are to come. Huston said 50 or so such meetings would be held regarding the TTC 35 in July and August, and that interested residents can also comment by mail and over the Internet.
The original swath has been narrowed to a 10-mile corridor that stretches from just east of Lockhart to just east of Texas Hwy. 21, an area that represents the “shortest path on flattest ground.”
However, that route is very near the route of SH 130, another TxDOT toll road project that would run from Seguin to just north of Georgetown.
While many residents had believed the two roadways would eventually be the same, Huston said that's not yet known. “It could be a part of TTC 35 or it could not.” It could be a “connecting or support facility” for the bigger road but is “moving along as a stand alone project.”
Moreover, Huston said the right-of-way already acquired for 130 is “not nearly as wide as it would need to be” to accommodate TTC 35.
“What might happen is it may split, with roadways on one corridor and rail in a separate corridor.” It could also happen that both roadways would be built.
Huston also said Cintra Zachary has asked TxDOT to accelerate action on portions 5 and 6 of SH 130. Section 6, which would most impact nearby neighbors in Caldwell and Guadalupe counties, and has made the offer to develop, build and finance those segments.
All of this is new ground and represents an “evolution in highway funding,” Huston said, describing the TTC as “the first time in this country a state DOT has worked with a concessionaire,” which would be Cintra Zachary.
For more on the TTC visit keeptexasmoving.org; for SH 130, sh130.com. For an opposing view visit corridorwatch.org
amiller@sanmarcosrecord.com
© 2006, San Marcos Daily Record:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Friday, May 19, 2006
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