Dallas Morning News lauds Ric Williamson and claims 'No one has been able to disprove the argument for building the TTC.'
Ric Williamson
Visionary leader made Texas a better place
January 2, 2008
Editorial
The Dallas Morning News
Copyright 2008
The death of Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson means the passing of one of the state's most audacious and colorful personalities, one whose imprint will be felt for decades to come.
Mr. Williamson had already wrapped up a career of instigating in the Texas House when he assumed leadership of the transportation commission. He set out to confront other leaders with the difficult truth that Texas couldn't afford to build enough roads to keep up with explosive growth – unless it took radically different steps.
No one would disagree that Ric Williamson was unafraid to do things radically different. He attracted armies of detractors for his singled-mindedness in advancing an agenda for toll roads and private investment to build them. Absent that initiative, however, the state would have been guaranteed to fall further behind.
Mr. Williamson's most ambitious goal – the mammoth Trans-Texas Corridor intercity turnpike – remains too much for most Texans to fathom. It may not be built in time to benefit this generation of Texans, but no one has been able to disprove the argument for building it.
Ric Williamson was a visionary whose vision was always a matter of lively debate. Texas will miss his uncompromising dedication to making our state a better place.
© 2008 The Dallas Morning News Co www.dallasnews.com
To search TTC News Archives clickHERE
To view the Trans-Texas Corridor Blog clickHERE
Visionary leader made Texas a better place
January 2, 2008
Editorial
The Dallas Morning News
Copyright 2008
The death of Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson means the passing of one of the state's most audacious and colorful personalities, one whose imprint will be felt for decades to come.
Mr. Williamson had already wrapped up a career of instigating in the Texas House when he assumed leadership of the transportation commission. He set out to confront other leaders with the difficult truth that Texas couldn't afford to build enough roads to keep up with explosive growth – unless it took radically different steps.
No one would disagree that Ric Williamson was unafraid to do things radically different. He attracted armies of detractors for his singled-mindedness in advancing an agenda for toll roads and private investment to build them. Absent that initiative, however, the state would have been guaranteed to fall further behind.
Mr. Williamson's most ambitious goal – the mammoth Trans-Texas Corridor intercity turnpike – remains too much for most Texans to fathom. It may not be built in time to benefit this generation of Texans, but no one has been able to disprove the argument for building it.
Ric Williamson was a visionary whose vision was always a matter of lively debate. Texas will miss his uncompromising dedication to making our state a better place.
© 2008 The Dallas Morning News Co
To search TTC News Archives click
To view the Trans-Texas Corridor Blog click
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Wednesday, January 02, 2008
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