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TxDOT extends TTC comments deadline
Onslaught of public response spurs state to extend original deadline for public comments to April 18
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com
With those cards and letters, not to mention phone calls and e-mails, continuing to pour in, the Texas Department of Transportation announced this week it is extending the comment period for the I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor Tier One Draft Environmental Impact Statement for an additional 30 days.
"TxDOT's request results in a 30-day extension beyond the original closing date of March 19," TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz was quoted in the release.
"The public comment period opened in December and an extension through April 18 allows more citizens to express their views regarding I-69/TTC and although an extension may affect the project's schedule, we are committed to public awareness and public involvement."
In a phone interview, TxDOT Spokesman Chris Lippincott said the agency has received 14,000 comments during the process which included more than 500 meetings.
That list includes 254 county meetings, 95 environmental meetings and hearings, 171 environmental meetings and hearings on TTC-35 and 12 town hall meetings.
"There has been an unprecedented interest in this project," Lippincott said. "But then it extends from the Red River to the Rio Grande River.
"We had a number of requests to extend the deadline, and in the interest of balancing our deadline with our commitment to public interest, we felt that a 30 day delay was a balance we could live with.
The public comment period has been open since December and we're trying to make every reasonable effort to listen to the public."
TxDOT Resident Engineer for the Yoakum District, which includes Wharton County, Lonnie Gregorcyk said the extension was the first he's seen in his career, but agreed with the decision.
"Public comment drives these projects," he said. "There was a project on Highway 36 in the Bellville area that was actually dropped because of public input.
"This project is a little different in nature because it involves so much of the state and its long term transportation needs.
"We're looking at addressing something not on a one or five-year basis. All the science we have indicates that we are going to have to address transportation needs at some point."
Gregorcyk confirmed that in adhering to Federal Highway Administration requirements, all of the public comments will be reviewed. The FHA oversees the environmental review process for transportation projects.
The extension itself was based on public requests and comment according to both Lippincott and Gregorcyk.
"There were a number of people who contacted us saying their groups were putting together comments and needed just a little more time," Gregorcyk said. "And we had individuals requesting a little more time.
"I think that the decision to extend the deadline was made in the interest of making sure as many people as possible had the opportunity to speak out on the project."
And while the agency is dealing with more input than its seen before regarding any one project, Gregorcyk said all of it will be reviewed.
"Some of it obviously can be categorized because of similarities such as historical sites, cemeteries or personal property issues. But all of it will be weighed in the balance as part of the review process."
Although no additional public hearings are scheduled regarding the I-69/ TTC Corridor Tier One DEIS, interested Texans can submit comments online at keeptexasmoving.com or mail them to I-69/TTC, P.O. Box 14428, Austin, Texas 78761.
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